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Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President, has called for stronger support for Ukraine and promised new initiatives as the Ukrainians marks the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of their country.
“A free and sovereign Ukraine is in the interest of the entire world,” Von der Leyen said before her scheduled meeting with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday in Kiev.
With Ukraine’s budget gap for 2025 now secured, Von der Leyen stressed the urgency of ramping up military aid to Ukraine.
“We must speed up the immediate delivery of weapons and ammunition,” Von der Leyen said, adding that she will soon present a comprehensive plan to scale up EU arms production and defence capabilities, something Ukraine will also benefit from.
NAN reports that she also announced additional measures to increase the energy security of Ukraine and the EU.
According to her, the aim is to fully integrate the electricity markets of Ukraine and Moldova into the EU’s power grid by the end of next year.
She said: “Our close partnership is in the Ukrainian interest, but also in the European interest.”
Meanwhile, Von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa are expected in Kiev on Monday to show their support on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of their neighbouring country Ukraine.
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