(ANSA) - BRUSSELS, MAY 17 - "I ask all our partners to join us in increasing their financial support to Ukraine. Our joint efforts are essential to ensure that Ukrainian democracy prevails over Putin's aggression".
US Treasury Secretary JanetYellen said at the Brussels Economic Forum, underlining that "Ukraine's immediate financing need is significant".
At the end of the war, he adds, "Ukraine will need massive support and private investment for reconstruction and recovery", as it was for Europe after 1945. As for Moscow, according to Yellen, "if Putin continues his atrocious war, the Biden administration will work "with the European Union and other partners"
"I know that Europe is facing a particularly difficult situation" on the energy front and "I commend the European leaders for their proposal to phase out all Russian energy supplies within six months", said the US minister.
"Russia is using energy as a weapon against those who oppose its aggression", Yellen points out, assuring that "the United States is committed to collaborating with Europe" to meet its energy needs "by breaking dependence on Russian energy".
And this includes "the increase in LNG exports to Europe".
(HANDLE).