Ukraine asks for aid from the EU at the beginning of the new year, von der Leyen: 18 billion euros will be provided in installments
[Global Times Special Correspondent Liu Yupeng] "The European Union will soon begin to provide Ukraine with 18 billion euros of aid in installments." Ukrainian media reported on the 3rd that on the 2nd local time, Ukrainian President Zelensky and European Commission President Von der Leyen held a meeting. The first phone call in the new year mainly discussed issues such as the EU's continued provision of various assistance to Ukraine in the new year.
On the same day, Zelensky's office issued a statement stating that Ukraine and the EU will hold a new summit in Kyiv on February 3, mainly to discuss the EU's economic and military assistance to Ukraine.
The Ukrainian National News Agency reported on the 3rd that Zelensky reported the current battlefield situation and the consequences of Russia’s regular missile and drone strikes on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure in a phone call with von der Leyen.
Von der Leyen said that the EU will soon begin to provide Ukraine with 18 billion euros of aid in installments, and will fight side by side with Ukraine in 2023 until Ukraine wins.
On the evening of the 2nd, Zelensky issued a video speech saying: "Russia plans to use drones to carry out long-term strikes on important infrastructure in Ukraine. In just two days this year, 80 Russian drones were shot down over our skies. This number may increase further in the near future. Russia may aim to deplete the resources of our air defense system and disrupt the energy system, but this attempt is bound to fail."
As for the West's provision of weapons and technical equipment to Ukraine, Russia's "Viewpoint" reported on the 3rd that Polish columnist Tochman published an article on the same day saying that the West continued to provide military assistance to Ukraine, but most of the weapons and technical equipment were not in good condition.
"Frankly speaking, these are just scrap iron and garbage. Because these equipment are shipped from old military warehouses, the purpose is only to free up warehouses and replenish new weapons. This situation is beneficial to the US military industry. They have Sign a large number of contracts to replenish weapons not only for the United States, but also for allies."
According to the "Russia Today" (RT) website, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated on the 3rd that the Russian army destroyed multiple "Hippocampus" rocket systems provided by the United States to Ukraine in the latest series of strikes, and more than 200 Ukrainian soldiers And foreign "mercenaries" were killed.
(Source: Global Times)