The fate of Ukraine hangs in the balance. Leyen: We don't have a moment to lose

EC President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday that the EU has no time to lose when it comes to supporting Ukraine and strengthening European defense capabilities. As she emphasized, ensuring stable financing for Kiev is crucial for Ukraine's survival.

Von der Leyen recalled the severe impact of EU sanctions on the Russian economy and Europe's readiness to further increase pressure to persuade Moscow to enter into peace talks.

Referring to the EU proposal regarding the so-called reparation loan for Ukraine, the President of the European Commission recalled that this mechanism is based on frozen Russian assets. The financial resources would be allocated to the reconstruction of Ukraine. “The longer Putin wages war, sheds blood, causes deaths and destroys Ukrainian infrastructure, the higher the costs will be for Russia,” the head of the European Commission emphasized in a statement released to the media.

Von der Leyen also assured that the EU is accelerating defense activities, including in the field of military mobility and support for the arms industry. She informed that Ukraine was included in 15 out of 19 SAFE plans (defense loan program) submitted by member states, and cooperation within the arms industry is intended to strengthen European deterrence capabilities.

The President of the EC also assessed that Ukraine is making diplomatic efforts for peace, while Russia “is deceiving and playing for time, intensifying attacks while declaring its willingness to dialogue.” “We will not be deceived. We know who is the aggressor and who is the victim,” she emphasized.

She added that – despite Russian aggression – European countries are more united today than before. “Our ties are stronger than ever. We are united not only by defense interests, but also by common values. And this is what we will do. United in supporting Ukraine and defending Europe,” she concluded in the statement.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited London on Monday, where he held talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Then, in the evening, the Ukrainian leader is to visit Brussels to meet with the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Council Antonio Costa and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The topic of all of Zelensky's talks are the US efforts to reach a peace agreement in Russia's war with Ukraine.

From Brussels Łukasz Osiński (PAP)

luo/kbm/