The president of the European Commission has promised Ukraine the first tranche of 45bn euros – the same amount for this year and the same amount for the next year – this quarter, i.e. by the end of June. This Ursula von der Leyen said from the rostrum of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, reports the correspondent of Radio Liberty.
“One third will go to budgetary needs, two thirds to Ukraine’s defence. The first defence package will concern drones-from Ukraine for Ukraine-at a cost of about six billion euros. Our message is clear: we will continue to support the brave Ukrainian people and their armed forces,” von der Leyen said on 29 April.
The prominent EU official also emphasised that the sanctions, the latest package of which was approved on the same day as the 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine, were having a significant impact on the Russian economy.
“Because of rising inflation and skyrocketing interest rates, the consequences of the war Russia has chosen are being paid for out of Russians’ pockets. So much so that the Kremlin is reacting in the usual way-restricting the internet and freedom of communication. So much so that Russians once again feel as if they live behind an iron curtain-a digital iron curtain. But if history teaches us anything, it is that all walls eventually fall down,” von der Leyen noted.
On 23 April, the EU Council unanimously approved amendments to the EU’s multi-year budget, necessary for the allocation of a 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine, as well as the 20th package of sanctions. The Cypriot presidency of the EU Council announced the completion of the relevant written procedures, which lasted more than a day.