The Ukrainian President revealed this Monday, in turn, at a press conference, that the EU has committed to delivering an additional 127 million euros in support.
Russia and Ukraine exchange long-range attacks almost every night, directed mainly against energy infrastructures and military targets located in their respective rear areas.
Von der Leyen also highlighted, in her message, that the community bloc is “working on options to guarantee the sustained financial assistance needed for Ukraine”.
“Tomorrow [terça-feira]we will adopt our Enlargement Package, which will recognize Ukraine’s remarkable commitment to its European path over the past year. The Commission’s message is clear: Ukraine is ready to move forward”he also mentioned.
Zelensky added that Ukraine still needs 750 million dollars (650 million euros, at the current exchange rate) of the 2 billion dollars (1.7 billion euros) needed to import natural gas for the current heating season.
The Ukrainian head of state made this warning at a press conference after a meeting with, among others, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk, according to the Ukrinform news agency.
“The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has just announced that we will receive an additional €127 million in support. We thank her for that”stressed Zelensky.
Zelensky also disclosed that Ukraine’s Energy Minister also met with her counterparts from the G7 countries.
“We have support from all sides — from Canada, Italy, Germany and other nations”stressed the ruler,
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, with the argument of protecting pro-Russian separatist minorities in the east and “denazifying” the neighboring country, independent since 1991 – after the disintegration of the former Soviet Union – and which has been moving away from Moscow’s space of influence and moving closer to Europe and the West.
On the diplomatic level, Russia has so far rejected any prolonged ceasefire and demands, to put an end to the conflict, that Ukraine cede to it at least four regions – Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporijia – in addition to the Crimean peninsula, annexed in 2014, and renounce forever joining NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Western defense bloc).
These conditions are considered unacceptable by Ukraine, which, together with European allies, demands an unconditional 30-day ceasefire before entering into peace negotiations with Moscow.
For its part, Russia considers that accepting such an offer would allow Ukrainian forces, struggling at the front, to rearm, thanks to Western military supplies.