The European Union on Monday signed a deal with war-torn Ukraine to unleash a further 500 million euros ($497 million) in planned aid, this time to support housing, education and agriculture.

The European Commission – the executive branch of the EU – announced the package as senior officials in Brussels hosted a meeting of the EU-Ukraine Association Council with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal.

“These EU grants will help ensure housing and education for IDPs and returnees and support Ukraine’s agricultural sector,” said spokesman Eric Mamer.

In addition to the latest aid – part of a larger support program that started in April – Ukraine can also apply for the EU’s digital economy fund to develop high-tech education and industry.

Monday’s Association Council meeting will be the first since Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in February, was accepted as a formal candidate for EU membership.

The meeting in Brussels, chaired by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and EU enlargement commissioner Oliver Varhelyi, aimed to advance Ukraine’s participation in EU programmes.

Full membership may be years away, but the EU and most of its member states are supporting Kiev’s struggle with Moscow by providing arms, economic aid and sanctions against Russia.

“One of our current priorities is the introduction of a total energy embargo on Russia,” Shmygal said on his Telegram account when welcomed at EU headquarters.

“Ukraine has the largest underground gas deposits and could become Europe’s gas vault,” he said.

“After gaining candidate country status, the government is aiming for accelerated integration into the EU energy market.”