President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on the sidelines of the third Summit of the European Political Community, met with President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola.

According to the presidential press service, the parties discussed the preparation of the next sanctions package against Russia and measures to counter the propaganda of the aggressor country.

Special attention was paid to the defense needs of Ukraine, as well as the possible role of the European Parliament in increasing support from those countries whose capabilities allow them to significantly increase assistance to Ukraine.

Zelenskyy and Metsola assessed Ukraine's progress in implementing the recommendations of the European Commission to begin negotiations on accession to the European Union. At the same time, the president said Ukraine has almost completed this work, and expressed his conviction that Ukraine will be able to begin negotiations on accession to the EU this year.

The head of state thanked for the European Parliament's support for the European Commission's proposals to revise the multi-year EU budget, which, in particular, provide for the creation of a Ukraine Aid Fund worth EUR 50 billion.

"Thank you for the resolutions in our support. You always support Ukraine and demonstrated this during your visits to our country," he said.