Zelensky: Blocked EU loan could leave Ukraine short on time to prepare for winter

The head of state made this statement during a joint press conference with Bulgaria’s interim Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov in Kyiv, according to a Ukrinform correspondent.

Responding to a question about what risks the President sees due to the blocking of financial aid from the EU, Zelensky said: “The greatest risks are related to preparing for winter, because there is a comprehensive plan to protect the energy sector and water supply. The plan is designed so that by winter we will have completed everything, at a minimum the physical protection, and it also includes various forms of air defense protection, etc.”

He noted that in March, all regions of Ukraine, including the capital, adopted resilience plans. It was expected that active work on their implementation would begin on April 1. However, due to a lack of funding, large-scale work has not started.

“Therefore, this delay poses a risk regarding winter. And now, every possible effort is being made to secure funding,” the head of state added.

At the same time, he emphasized that it is up to European leaders to resolve the issue of the EUR 90 billion loan from the EU, or more precisely, its first tranche of EUR 45 billion.

“We can talk a lot about supporting Ukraine and about protection, even though the funds for support and protection are blocked. This needs to be resolved. We firmly believe that European leaders are much stronger together than any single individual,” the President concluded.

As reported, Hungary has blocked a EUR 90 billion EU loan, the next EU sanctions package, and the opening of negotiation clusters. Orbán’s government is simultaneously demanding the resumption of operations on the Druzhba oil pipeline so that Russia can receive funds for the war.

Photo: OP