First call in 2023: von der Leyen, Zelensky discuss EU aid for Ukraine

During her first call of the new year to Ukraine, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in a conversation with President Volodymyr Zelensky, confirmed the steadfast stance of European partners in supporting Ukraine and its people in the fight against Russian aggression.

That’s according to Ursula von der Leyen’s tweet, seen by Ukrinform.

" In the 1st call of the new year with President Zelensky, I conveyed my wholehearted support and best wishes for 2023 to the Ukrainian people. The EU stands by you, for as long as it takes. We support your heroic struggle. A fight for freedom and against brutal aggression," wrote the President of the European Commission.

As reported, the EU provides political, economic, humanitarian, and military assistance to Ukraine. In particular, in 2022, the EU delivered financial support to Ukraine in the amount of EUR 19 billion. This year, the EU will send Ukraine EUR 18 billion worth of macro-financial assistance.

In addition, for the first time in history, the EU allocated EUR 3.1 billion in direct military aid to Ukraine. Also, for the first time, the EU activated the Temporary Protection Directive, which allowed for accepting millions of Ukrainian refugees, mostly women and children, and providing them with basic social services, including health care, access to education, and the right to employment.