European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that one of the issues at the G7 summit will be the continued financing of Ukraine. She also announced a €75 million EU grant contribution to the new safe confinement.
She made the statement on Monday at a press conference in Évian, where the G7 summit will take place.
“I am looking forward to tomorrow’s meeting with President Zelensky. Russia’s brutal war of aggression continues, in fact longer than the First World War. And given the escalation of attacks, Europe continues its unwavering support for Ukraine. Our €90 billion loan package covers two-thirds of Ukraine’s financial needs for this year and the next. The first disbursements will take place this month. For the remaining third, we need active partners of Ukraine. That will be the topic of this summit,” the Commission President said.
Von der Leyen also noted that the EU, together with Canada, is preparing for the next winter in Ukraine.
“Together with Canada, we are leading the work on winter preparedness. And we are joining President Macron’s efforts on pledges. I can announce a €75 million contribution in the form of grant funding for the new safe confinement,” she said.
She also stated that “at the same time, the EU is anchoring Ukraine in Europe.”
“Today we are opening the first cluster of EU accession negotiations. This is a huge step forward. Ukraine has made significant progress in reforms. They have succeeded, so now we must also succeed,” the Commission President emphasized.
