Zelenskyy in Paris to discuss unblocking €90bn EU loan

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Paris on the morning of 13 March, and one of the main topics for discussion during his visit will be the issue of unblocking a €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine.

Source: Suspilne, citing sources, as reported by European Pravda

Details: A source at the Élysée Palace said that unblocking the EU loan will be a major focus during Zelenskyy's visit to France.

Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to hold talks on support for Ukraine. Other items on the agenda include efforts to counter Russia's shadow fleet of tankers and the commitments undertaken by members of the Coalition of the Willing.

Final approval of the €90 billion loan for Ukraine has reached a deadlock due to vetoes by Hungary and Slovakia.

It's thought the issue is highly unlikely to be resolved before elections in Hungary that could bring Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's long-standing premiership to an end. Even if that happens, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico has also threatened to continue vetoing the decision.

Background:

• European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said earlier this week that the EU will ultimately provide Ukraine with the €90 billion "one way or another".
• According to Politico, the EU has come up with a way to provide Ukraine with at least €30 billion despite vetoes from Hungary and Slovakia.

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