AJ
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Kyiv to mark the end of the fourth year and the beginning of an historic fifth year that the Russians have been attacking the country.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the year 2027 was “very important for us, and I hope it is achievable, so that Putin cannot block our membership for decades.”
“Let me spell out three ways our support will be maintained and reinforced,” said von der Leyen, continuing: “The first is the European Union loan of 90 billion euros – we call it the ‘steel porcupine loan’, because it should give Ukraine the strength of a steel porcupine, indigestible for potential invaders.
“As the President of the Council has also said, this loan was agreed by the 27 heads of state and government in the European Council – they have given their word, and that word cannot be broken, so we will deliver on this loan one way or another.”
President von der Leyen continued: “Let me be very clear: we have different options, and we will use them. Now, let’s look at the loan itself – the first priority of the porcupine loan is to address your most urgent defence needs – it will help procure, produce, develop, and secure advanced defence equipment for the brave Ukrainian forces, from drones to missiles to ammunition, [and] the work has already started.
“Together with the Ukrainian forces, we have identified a first package – a priority package – our aim is to deliver it before Easter, [and] it includes drones and ammunition.”
Russia is also due to be penalised further: “We will soon get our 20th sanctions package on Russia over the line – our sanctions will keep draining Russia’s revenues and weakening its war machine.
Turning to the Ukrainian President, von der Leyen said: “Dear Volodymyr, this morning we honoured your fallen at the People’s Memorial in Maidan Square, and today, I am also thinking of their comrades bravely holding the lines in the trenches.
“They fight for peace, they fight for a better future for their children, they fight for the simple dream of a free and sovereign Ukraine at the heart of a free Europe, so let me conclude by saying to them, Europe will stand by you and stand with you until you have made that dream come true – Long live Europe and Slava Ukraini.”
Speaking on Ukraine’s accession into the EU, von der Leyen said: “Ukraine is on a good way to become a member of the European Union – you all know that is a merit-based process.
“I must say Ukraine is outstanding in the speed of which it fulfills the necessary reforms – these are tough reforms, not easy reforms, and it is deeply impressive to see the enormous progress Ukraine is making despite fighting a war for their survival.”
Ursula von der Leyen continued: “I understand very well that for you [Zelensky], a clear date is also important, the date you set is your benchmark that you want to match – you know from our side, dates by themselves are not possible, but of course, the support that you can reach your goal is absolutely clear on our side.”
