PRESS RELEASE : President of Ukraine discussed financial and energy support for our country with the President of the European Commission [September 2022]

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 15 September 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen who is on a visit to our country.

The Head of State thanked the President of the European Commission for the visit and noted her important role in the defense and financial support of Ukraine during the war.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also thanked Ursula von der Leyen for her efforts on Ukraine’s acquisition of the status of a candidate for membership in the European Union.

“Today we had a substantive conversation. It is important that Mrs. Ursula von der Leyen came to us after the annual State of the EU Report,” said the President.

The Head of State noted that on Wednesday, during the visit of First Lady Olena Zelenska to Strasbourg, the intention of the European Union to allocate 100 million euros for the reconstruction of 74 Ukrainian schools was announced.

“This program is big, and the destruction is big, but step by step we have to bring life back to Ukraine. And we bring it back thanks to our warriors, our people. I think that today we are very positive and motivated by the daily de-occupation of certain towns and villages. So for us, this is a big victory,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

The Head of State noted that during the meeting with the President of the European Commission, the issue of energy challenges facing Ukraine and the EU was discussed.

“We see the Russian enemy strike our CHPP and other energy infrastructure. There will be many challenges this winter, and here we all need to work together, as these are difficult challenges for both Ukraine and the European Union. We understand that we all have to help each other,” said the President.

The Head of State noted that due to Ukraine’s accession to the common energy system of the EU, European countries will be able to receive cheap Ukrainian electricity, and our state will receive budget revenues, which will help fulfill obligations regarding the payment of salaries and pensions.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Ursula von der Leyen for the decision of the European Commission to allocate a €5 billion tranche of financial aid from the European Union to Ukraine.

According to the President, the parties also discussed the possibility of receiving the next tranche by the end of the current year and the preparation of macro-financial aid to Ukraine from the EU for the next year.

In addition, the interlocutors touched upon the issue of Ukraine joining the internal market of the European Union even before acquiring full membership in the EU.

“I am sure this will be one of our most important victories. We deserve it, and while we are still on the path to membership, we would like to join the EU internal market. This is important for us,” the Head of State said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ursula von der Leyen discussed the continuation of pressure on Russia, in particular through the adoption of the 8th sanctions package.

For her part, the President of the European Commission congratulated Ukraine and the Ukrainian Armed Forces on their success at the front and expressed her admiration for the bravery of the Ukrainian military.

Ursula von der Leyen also noted that our country continues to move towards EU membership.

“I note determination, huge progress on this path. We will support you with all our capabilities,” she emphasized.

The President of the European Commission noted the importance of increasing the supply of Ukrainian electricity to EU countries.

The parties also discussed the provision of macro-financial aid to Ukraine. Ursula von der Leyen said that the tranche of 5 billion euros agreed upon by the European Parliament is to be received in October, and assured that the work on support will be continued.

Regarding sanctions, the President of the European Commission emphasized the importance of exchanging details of work in this direction between the EU and Ukraine, so that the aggressor could not circumvent the restrictions.

In addition, the leaders discussed the issue of effective and fast recovery of Ukraine.

“We will never be able to compensate for what you are doing, your struggle for democracy, humanity, respect for international law. But what we can do is tell you that your European friends stand with you. And we will stand with you for as long as necessary,” Ursula von der Leyen assured.