Kyiv, September 21, 2024 — The Europe Today: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a substantial loan of up to €35 billion ($39 billion) to Ukraine during her visit to Kyiv on Friday, marking her 8th visit to the war-torn country. The loan is aimed at supporting Ukraine’s ongoing defense efforts as Russia’s invasion continues.
In a joint briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to Ukraine. Zelenskyy outlined that the funds would be used to bolster air defense, improve the country’s energy infrastructure, and support domestic weapons production.
Meanwhile, Russian dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was recently freed in a prisoner swap, urged Russia’s exiled opposition and Western governments to prepare for a democratic transition in Russia once President Vladimir Putin leaves office. Speaking at a think-tank in London, Kara-Murza emphasized the importance of learning from the failures that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union to ensure the next opportunity for change in Russia is successful.
Kara-Murza had spent over two years in detention for his opposition to Putin and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine before his release from a Siberian penal colony in August as part of a high-profile prisoner exchange.
Von der Leyen’s visit and the EU’s financial support underscore the international community’s continued backing of Ukraine amid the prolonged conflict with Russia.
