The EU will provide Ukraine with a loan of 90 billion euros one way or another, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, quoted by Reuters, BTA reports.
She stated this at a briefing in Kiev, where she arrived earlier today together with other European leaders on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
The loan prepared by the EU is blocked by Hungary, which argues with the suspended supplies of Russian oil through the "Druzhba" oil pipeline.
Von der Leyen also said in Kiev that the union is working on providing Ukraine with a new energy package of 920 million euros next winter.
Senior EU officials joined President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine on the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion today, reaffirming Europe's support for the war-torn country, DPA reported.
However, internal disagreements over new sanctions against Russia and financial support for Ukraine threatened to undermine the show of unity.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa joined Zelensky on Kiev's Independence Square to commemorate those who died fighting Russian forces and observed a minute of silence for war victims.
Earlier, Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska officially welcomed foreign dignitaries to a prayer service at St. Sofia in Kiev, where representatives of various religious faiths prayed for Ukraine's victory and a "just peace."
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022. According to Zelensky, about 55,000 Ukrainian servicemen have been killed since then, although expert estimates show a higher number of casualties.
According to the United Nations, more than 15,000 civilians have been killed and another 41,000 wounded in Europe's biggest war since World War II.
Estimates based on publicly available Russian data suggest that approximately 220,000 Russian soldiers have been killed, although Western and Ukrainian authorities report a far higher number.
"Europe remains firmly behind Ukraine - financially, militarily and in this harsh winter," said Von der Leyen in an article in “Ex“ upon her arrival.
Antonio Costa praised the “courage and perseverance of the Ukrainian people“ and said Ukraine had made impressive progress towards EU membership despite the war.
Von der Leyen and Costa traveled to Kiev by train with several world leaders from countries including Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Croatia.
In a video address, Zelensky said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had not achieved his goals.
“Going back to the beginning of the war and looking at the situation today, we have the right to say that we defended our independence, we did not lose our state and Putin did not achieve his goals,“ the Ukrainian president said.
The anniversary events were overshadowed by the refusal of Hungary and Slovakia to approve the new 20th package of EU sanctions on Russia and the plan to provide financial support to Ukraine through a €90 billion loan.
The package, which includes €60 billion for the Ukrainian army, was expected to It received formal approval from EU leaders after they expressed their support in December. Hungary, backed by Slovakia, vetoed the measures this week, citing the suspension of Russian oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline as the reason. via Ukraine.
Budapest has accused Kiev of blocking the pipeline for political reasons, while Ukrainian authorities have said the disruptions since late January were caused by Russian bombing.
Zelensky urged the EU to approve the loan package, calling it a “real financial guarantee for our security and resilience.”
Costa sharply criticized Hungary’s position, describing the member state’s decision to ignore an agreement by EU leaders as “completely unacceptable.”
Instead, EU states are expected to announce a €100 million emergency package for Ukraine’s energy infrastructure that does not require Hungary’s support.
Leaders and ministers across Europe marked the anniversary with pledges of continued support.
The foreign ministers of Germany, France and Poland released a joint video address in which they praised Ukraine's "indomitable spirit" and promised to stand by it "for as long as necessary."
French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer organized a meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing, a group of more than 30 countries that support Ukraine.
In Germany, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Foreign Minister Johannes Wadeful attended a prayer service for peace at the French Cathedral in Berlin. Similar events were held in other German cities.
At the same time, the Kremlin acknowledged that Russia had not yet achieved its goals.
“The goals have not been fully achieved so far, which is why the military action continues,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the state news agency TASS.
Peskov said Russia remained open to a diplomatic solution but insisted that the conditions be clear, accusing the West of wanting to “destroy” Russia as the conflict enters its fifth year.
The leaders of the G7 countries reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and right to exist, Reuters reported, citing a joint statement issued on the fourth anniversary of the start of the Russian invasion.
"We express our continued support for the efforts of (US) President (Donald) Trump to achieve these goals by initiating a peace process and bringing the parties to direct negotiations. Europe has a leading role in this process, together with other partners," the leaders of the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada said in the statement.
"We recognize that only Ukraine and Russia, working together in good faith negotiations, can reach a peaceful agreement," the statement said, which appears to be supported by Washington, Reuters notes.
This is the first joint statement by the leaders of the G7 countries on the Ukraine issue since Trump returned to the White House, Agence France-Presse notes.