KYIV, Ukraine (AP) U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Monday her first visit to Ukraine underscored Washingtons commitment to continuing its economic support for the country, as the din of air raid sirens echoed across the Ukrainian capital.

Yellen said following talks with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal that the U.S. has provided nearly $50 billion in security, economic and humanitarian assistance and announced another multibillion dollar package to boost the countrys economy.

Shmyhal offered thanks to the U.S. for its support and hailed Yellen as a friend of Ukraine. He said Ukraines budget deficit now stands at $38 billion and that the U.S. will provide another $10 billion in assistance by September.

Shmyhal and Yellen also discussed sanctions aimed at weakening Russias economy as well as the possibility of using Russian frozen assets to help in Ukraines economic recovery.

Yellen repeated U.S. President Joe Biden s message that Washington will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. She underscored the importance of fighting corruption, praising Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for enacting measures to ensure transparency in how the assistance is spent.

The U.S. official also visited a renovated school that had its windows blown out by the blast wave from a Russian missile that landed nearby in March. She also announced an additional transfer of $1.2 billion, the first tranche of the $10 billion assistance package.