An emergency fund to help Ukrainians abroad has been formed at the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine. An emergency fund to help Ukrainians abroad has been formed at the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine.

"The relevant consular fund has been formed under my decree. Only heads of diplomatic establishments can use it. At present an ambassador has an opportunity to take responsibility, to introduce urgent proposals and use the means of this fund," Foreign Minister Petro Poroshenko said at a press conference on Wednesday.

He said that at present there is $1.25 million in the fund, with plans to extend the fund to $5 million. According to the minister, the fund is also filled via consular charges that are collected from foreign embassies and diplomatic establishments in Ukraine.