Zelenskyy met with Costa and von der Leyen: They discussed strengthening defense capabilities of Ukraine and whole of Europe. VIDEO
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Costa in Brussels.
Zelenskyy said this in a telegram, Censor.NET reports.
"During the meeting with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Costa in Brussels, we discussed strengthening the defense capabilities of Ukraine and the whole of Europe.
Air defense, weapons and ammunition for Ukraine, timely supplies, strengthening of the Ukrainian defense industry, negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU, the need to increase sanctions pressure on Russia and counteract sanctions circumvention - all these were among our topics today," Zelenskyy said.
According to the President's Office, the head of state thanked Antonio Costa for inviting him to a special meeting of the European Council and noted the leadership of the heads of EU institutions in discussing the enhancement of Europe's defense capabilities and strengthening of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy also expressed gratitude for the support of European leaders on the path to a just and sustainable peace.
"You have sent a strong signal to the Ukrainian people, Ukrainian soldiers, civilians, all our families. It is very important that we are not alone. We feel it and know it," he emphasized.
In turn, the President of the European Council emphasized that it is important to strengthen the defense capabilities of Ukraine and Europe.
"The security and defense of Europe are not separated from the security and defense of Ukraine. A stronger European defense strengthens Ukrainian defense, and a stronger Ukrainian defense capability is also very important for strengthening our own defense," Costa said.
The President of the European Commission emphasized that she will present a plan to rearm Europe at the European Council, which provides for up to 800 billion euros of investment in defense.
"It gives member states the financial space to invest in defense. It allows them to invest in Ukraine's defense industry or to purchase military equipment that will be immediately transferred to Ukraine. Thus, this is aimed at rearming Europe, rearming the European Union, and arming Ukraine in its existential struggle for its sovereignty and territorial integrity," von der Leyen said.
It is noted that during the meeting, the parties discussed the current needs of the Defense Forces, including strengthening air defense, timely supply of all types of weapons and ammunition, as well as strengthening the production capabilities of the Ukrainian defense industry.
They also discussed negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU. Zelenskyy expressed hope that the Presidents of the European Commission and the European Council would facilitate the opening of the first "Fundamentals" cluster.
The Head of State also thanked for the adoption of the 16th package of EU sanctions against Russia and called for the start of work on the 17th package, which should strengthen counteraction to sanctions circumvention and expand restrictions on Russian shadow fleet vessels and their captains.
