President: Ukraine expects to receive first tranche of EU loan in late May or early June

Work is currently underway to receive the first tranche of the loan in late May or early June, with funds directed toward the army's needs and the production of Ukrainian weapons.

According to Ukrinform, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced this during a press briefing.

"Of course, we are counting on and have been working toward a positive outcome so that the 90 billion euros can be released; this is a priority for us, and, of course, it is very important that the 20th sanctions package be released so that we can work on the next sanctions, put pressure on the Russian energy sector, put pressure on Russia's shadow fleet, and so on. There are many different issues. We are constantly working on this. As for the 90 billion, we will expedite the first tranche we are counting on as quickly as possible so that we can receive the funds by the end of May or early June," Zelensky emphasized.

According to him, the funds are primarily needed to support and strengthen the Ukrainian army and for the domestic production of Ukrainian weapons, in particular drone systems, electronic warfare equipment, and more.

The president also noted that part of the funds will be used to purchase scarce weapons from international partners.

"We are also working on the next round of sanctions. We are confident that everything will be resolved. Ukraine has done everything it promised, within the timeframe it promised," said the president.

As reported by Ukrinform, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated the day before that Ukraine's receipt of a €90 billion loan from the European Union is a matter of "life and survival" for the country.