Von der Leyen announces to Zelensky that he will present his proposal for economic aid to Ukraine for 2023 next week

MADRID, 6 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, informed the Ukrainian president, Volodimir Zelenski, this Sunday that this coming Tuesday he will present his proposal for economic aid to kyiv to cover its needs throughout the coming year, estimated at 18,000 million euros.

This aid package consists of a series of "long-term loans on highly concessional terms, with interest costs covered, which will also contribute to Ukraine's reform program on its way to the country's accession to the European Union."

This aid package will be divided into monthly amounts of 1.5 million euros and will add to the approximately 19 billion euros that the EU has delivered to Ukraine from the beginning of the Russian invasion in February until the end of October.

"Both leaders have recognized the importance of regular and predictable funding for essential state functions," according to the conversation's statement about a package that "will need to be accompanied by similar support measures from other major international donors."

Von der Leyen also assured Zelensky that the EU is still working to continue providing immediate humanitarian support to Ukraine, particularly during the winter, and reiterated that the European bloc will be involved with Ukraine "in the long term."

Both leaders also discussed the importance of ensuring that Ukraine's agricultural exports can reach the world through the agreement with Russia on the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

They have also commented on plans to expand the capacities of the so-called "EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes", which have so far been used to transport the vast majority of Ukraine's agricultural and non-agricultural exports since the beginning of the Russian war.

Finally, the leaders discussed the strengthening of sanctions, as well as the negative role played by Iran's support for Russia's aggression, with the delivery of explosive drones, and how to respond to this issue.