Von der Leyen, who reported the conversation with Zelensky on online platforms, assured Europe's full support for Ukraine in the face of intensified Russian attacks on local cities and civilians.
“Air defense and drone and counter-drone capabilities are among Europe's most urgent defense priorities,” she stressed. “Ukraine will be fully involved in these activities,” declared the head of the European Commission.
She also referred to a loan for Ukraine in the amount of EUR 90 billion, the first tranche of which will soon be sent to Kiev. According to von der Leyen, this year alone it will provide EUR 28.3 billion to cover the country's military needs.
“We also talked about Ukraine's path to EU membership,” said the head of the European Commission. — “The coming weeks will be important for taking decisive steps in the accession process,” she announced.
Ukraine's difficult path to the European Union. Viktor Orban's blockade ends
This process was blocked by former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who did not agree to the opening of the so-called negotiation clusters. Although this formally halted the accession process of Ukraine and Moldova, the EU institutions, together with Kiev, conducted negotiations at a technical level to prepare the ground for when further formal work would be possible.
The new Hungarian Prime Minister, Peter Magyar, will talk with von der Leyen in Brussels on Friday. The goal of the new head of government is to unblock EU funds that have been frozen as quickly as possible due to, among others, with dismantling independent bodies that can fight corruption. Magyar announced that the money would be released quickly. Apart from the reforms, the EC also expects a breakthrough on other issues that have so far been vetoed by Orban's Hungary.
