KYIV (ANP) – The European Commission has pledged loans to Ukraine totalling up to 35 billion euros. This was announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday during a visit to Kyiv.
The European Commission has approved a loan to Ukraine. Photo: BTA
Due to the “ongoing Russian attacks, Ukraine still needs support from the European Union,” writes The European Commission on X. Friday’s commitment is “another important contribution by the EU to the recovery of Ukraine.”
Ukraine can decide for itself what the country will use the money for, Von der Leyen said later during a joint press conference with the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr SelenskyjThe billions will give Ukraine financial stability, said the politician. The money comes from frozen Russian assets, said Von der Leyen. In her opinion, it is justified that the aggressor Russia should contribute to the restoration of Ukraine.
Von der Leyen expects that the money can be transferred quickly, she said during the press conference.
The loan still needs to be approved by the European Parliament and by a qualified majority of EU member states. This means that the proposal must be supported by at least 15 of the 27 member states, which together represent at least 65 percent of the total EU population. The loan is part of a broader plan of more than €44 billion to support Ukraine, on which the United States and the G7 had previously reached agreement.
Ukraine will use the money, among other things, for weapons such as drones and air defense, the construction of shelters near schools and the protection of the country’s energy supply, Zelensky said.
He urged Von der Leyen to keep up the pressure on Russia by imposing more sanctions. “We must not allow Russia to adapt to the sanctions.”
(20. September)
