Zelenskyy: Ukraine meeting obligations to EU, incl on Druzhba pipeline; expects full EU integration
An agreement with the European Union on unblocking a EUR 90 billion support package for Ukraine is now effectively being implemented, while Ukraine, for its part, is fulfilling its obligations in relations with the EU, including with regard to Druzhba oil pipeline, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.
"Implementation of our agreement with the European Union to unblock a EUR90 billion support package for Ukraine over two years, as well as a new sanctions package against Russia over this war, is now effectively under way. The unblocking is the right signal under the current circumstances," the president said on Telegram on Wednesday.
Zelenskyy said that "Russia must end its war. And motives for doing so can appear only when both support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia are sufficient."
Zelenskyy said "Ukraine is fulfilling its obligations in relations with the European Union, even on such ambiguous issues as the operation of Druzhba oil pipeline." At the same time, the president said Ukraine expects "that from the European side there will also be what is needed for real protection of life and for bringing Ukraine’s full European integration closer. It is important that the European support package begins operating promptly," he added.
"We will also speak with European leaders about opening clusters for Ukraine: the conditions for this have already been fulfilled. We are also continuing work on strengthening sanctions against Russia and on further developing the European energy system in such a way that Russia loses the ability to manipulate energy supplies to Europe," the president said of the immediate plans.
"Thank you to everyone who is helping! Today and tomorrow are especially important days for our European diplomacy," he added.
As reported, on Monday, April 20, the president held a meeting with diplomats on activity for the end of April and the beginning of May.
"We defined a format of work with the European Union to unblock support packages for Ukraine and continue fair restrictions against Russia because of the war. We see that the right changes in European policy are possible, and the relevant decisions need to be prepared on a support package for Ukraine, on opening clusters, and on sanctions against Russia," Zelenskyy said at the time. He noted that "the absence of new sanctions steps demoralizes the defenders of a united Europe" and encourages Russia to continue the war.