Zelenskyy to attend EU summit in Cyprus today – Politico
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend an informal European Union summit today, April 23, which will take place in Cyprus, according to Politico.
“Zelenskyy’s personal attendance at the meeting was confirmed by European Council President António Costa,” the outlet writes.
It is noted that European leaders are inclined to support a decision to grant a loan to Ukraine, which had long been blocked by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Following his election defeat on April 12, he will not take part in the meeting in Cyprus.
The formal approval of the loan is expected at 13:00, which will effectively coincide with the resumption of oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline toward Hungary.
According to Costa, Europe has already demonstrated its ability to fulfill its commitments and intends to continue doing so, the publication reports.
The article also highlights that after Orbán’s departure, there is a noticeable shift in mood in Brussels.
As one diplomat noted, there is a sense of “relief and optimism.” It is expected that the decision on the loan for Ukraine, as well as the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, will be adopted and symbolically confirmed together with the Ukrainian president later today.
EU unblocks loan for Ukraine
It should be noted that EU member state representatives at the ambassadorial level have preliminarily agreed on granting Ukraine a €90 billion loan, as well as a 20th package of sanctions against Russia. Final approval of the decisions is expected today, April 23.
Additionally, oil transit through the Ukrainian section of the Druzhba pipeline resumed yesterday. Against this backdrop, Slovakia stated that it would not obstruct the unblocking of €90 billion in financial aid for Ukraine, but would support the 20th EU sanctions package against Russia only after oil transit via the pipeline is restored.
