Zelenskyy responds to reports of 'tense' meeting with von der Leyen
Ursula von der Leyen and Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: Getty Images)
The latest meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was "absolutely positive." They also managed to discuss many important issues, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters.
The president decided to comment on reports by some media outlets that the latest talks between Zelenskyy and von der Leyen were "tense."
Media outlets claimed that the European Commission president had presented the Ukrainian president with a number of demands that Kyiv would need to meet in order to receive financial assistance from Brussels.
According to Zelenskyy, however, he would not describe the meeting as difficult because it had been prepared in advance.
"We had spoken by phone before that and discussed some issues," Zelenskyy explained.
The president clarified that this time their discussions focused on a funding shortfall caused by the rising cost of the war.
They also discussed linking part of European funding to the adoption of important laws by the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine's parliament). Zelenskyy explained to von der Leyen that the Ukrainian parliament cannot operate as usual under martial law.
"We agreed that they would sit down and think about how to cover part of the funding from the second tranche and bring the money forward because we need money for drones," Zelenskyy added.
Zelenskyy previously described how he had tried to reach an agreement with US President Donald Trump on strengthening Ukraine's air defense.
The president also revealed how Ukraine has to collect hundreds of missiles from its allies bit by bit.
