Zelenskyy: Ukraine expects EU loan tranche, date already set
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (facebook. com zelenskyy.official)
Ukraine is counting on opening its first negotiation cluster on its path to EU membership as early as June, while also expecting the earliest possible tranche of a 90-billion-euro loan, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy said he discussed Ukraine’s progress toward EU membership with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
According to him, Kyiv expects to open the first Fundamentals cluster in June.
The President also stressed the importance of receiving the first tranche from the European support package as soon as possible.
"A date has been set – and we hope everything will be implemented exactly as agreed," he noted.
The two leaders also discussed strengthening Ukraine’s air defense system, primarily countering ballistic missiles.
According to Zelenskyy, Europe has the necessary capabilities, and this issue was raised as part of Ukraine's cooperation with the EU on the Drone Deal track. The President added that teams are actively working on it, and several countries are already ready to join the initiative.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that on May 20, the European Commission signed a memorandum with Ukraine on macro-financial assistance. After ratification by the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine's Parliament - ed.), Kyiv is expected to receive the first tranche of €3.2 billion in June.
However, on May 26, the Verkhovna Rada failed to pass a bill on taxing international parcels — one of the key IMF requirements. The Finance Ministry warned that European funding also depends on the implementation of these agreements.
