Ukraine, EU prepares 45 billion loan. Von der Leyen: “It’s a priority”

Alongside the EU, Canada is particularly committed. “I want to recognize the prime minister’s decision to contribute to the support of Ukraine, with the loan for Ukraine. It is a strong message about our collaboration in favor of Kiev for as long as necessary”, says the President of the European Council Antonio Costa at the end of the EU-Canada summit in Montreal, referring to the choice of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

The latter, for his part, confirms that the initial contribution will be equivalent to 500 million euros. The loan is “a very important and effective mechanism”, he says, complimenting Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Costa for creating it. “We work side by side to support Ukraine, in the face of the war of aggression waged by Russia for almost five years”, says Costa, explaining that at the summit the two sides decided to deepen the partnership in the field of security and defence, “through even closer industrial cooperation and the participation of Canada in our Safe programme”: Ottawa, recalls the EU leader, is the first non-EU capital to join it.