Zelenskyy reproaches EU over lack of progress on 20th sanctions package and €90bn aid package

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reproached the European Union for the lack of progress on its 20th Russia sanctions package and the €90 billion aid package for Ukraine.

Source: Zelenskyy's evening address

Quote: "There has still been no progress on the European Union's 20th package of sanctions against Russia over this war. There has also been no movement on the €90 billion aid package for Ukraine, even though Europe acknowledges that it is vital for us. Nevertheless, the package remains blocked."

Details: Zelenskyy noted that he coordinated positions on these issues with French President Emmanuel Macron during a phone call on Saturday.

"In fact, the entire coming week will be devoted to joint work with the Europeans to ensure that the decisions needed to protect Ukraine actually start working," he said.

Zelenskyy also thanked the countries contributing to the PURL programme, which enables Ukraine to purchase US missiles for air defence, particularly Patriot systems.

Quote: "Moreover, we are seeing information about Russian assistance to the Iranian regime: there are reports that the Russians are providing intelligence to the regime in Iran to help adjust strikes against Americans. There is also evidence of Russian components in the Shahed drones being used in the Middle East, which are being deployed against both Arab countries and Americans in the region. Each such fact shows that we are dealing with regimes that are not merely connected but actually exist thanks to one another – the Russian and Iranian regimes – and are effectively killing in a coordinated manner both here in Europe and there in the Middle East."

Details: The president stressed that Ukraine is working to help protect the Middle East from Shahed drones and expects that corresponding assistance will also be provided to help defend Ukraine.

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