In the latest investment in Mariupol, Ukraine’s Azov seaport besieged by Russia, France agreed Tuesday to provide €64 million in concessionary loans to provide drinking water to the city of 500,000.

In the latest investment in Mariupol, Ukraine’s Azov seaport besieged by Russia, France agreed Tuesday to provide €64 million in concessionary loans to provide drinking water to the city of 500,000. The city population has grown with the migration of Ukrainians who do not want to live in the Russia-controlled zone, 20 km to the east. The EBRD is loaning the city €20 million to rebuild the city’s trolley bus system. With Russian forces restricting ship traffic to Mariupol port, Prime Minister Groysman seeks EU aid to complement $35 million the government is spending on upgrading road and rail lines out of Mariupol. On Tuesday, Mariupol hosted the foreign ministers of Denmark and the Czech Republic and representatives of the EU and of the European Investment Bank.