Zelensky Criticizes EU Over Sanctions and Aid Package

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed frustration with the European Union’s pace in implementing a 20th package of sanctions against Russia and in approving a €90 billion aid package for Ukraine. He voiced these concerns during a Saturday address, highlighting a perceived lack of progress despite the critical need for continued support.

Lack of Progress on Sanctions and Aid

According to Zelensky, “There is still no progress on the 20th package of EU sanctions against Russia for this war. There is no movement on a 90 billion euro aid package for Ukraine, although Europe recognizes that this is vitally important for us. Still, the blocking of the package remains.”

Coordination with France

Zelensky stated he coordinated positions on these issues with French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday. He indicated that the coming week will be dedicated to collaborative efforts with European partners to ensure solutions are implemented to protect Ukraine.

Support for Air Defense and Concerns Over Russian-Iranian Collaboration

The Ukrainian President also thanked nations contributing to the PURL program, which facilitates the purchase of American missiles for air defense systems, including Patriot systems.

Zelensky raised concerns about reported Russian assistance to Iran, alleging that Russia is providing intelligence to Iran to refine attacks on American forces. He also cited reports of Russian components being used in Iranian Shahed drones deployed in the Middle East, suggesting a coordinated effort between the two regimes to destabilize the region. He emphasized that this collaboration extends to attacks both in Europe and the Middle East.

“we see information about Russian assistance to the Iranian regime: there are reports that the Russians are providing intelligence to the regime in Iran in order to adjust attacks on the Americans. There is also information about Russian components in the Shaheds, which are used in the Middle East and this is against both Arab countries and against the Americans in the region. Each such fact indicates that we are dealing with regimes that are not just connected with each other, but which exist thanks to each other – the Russian and Iranian regimes – and they are actually killing in a coordinated manner both here in Europe and there in the Middle East,” Zelensky said.

Ukraine is actively working to help protect the Middle East from Shahed drones and anticipates receiving appropriate assistance for its own defense.

EU Considers Pipeline Repair to Unlock Aid

The European Union is reportedly exploring the possibility of providing financial assistance to repair the Druzhba oil pipeline, as a means of overcoming objections from Hungary and Slovakia and securing approval for the €90 billion aid package for Ukraine. Bloomberg reported on this potential solution.

Hungary’s Stance

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has stated that his country will block both the adoption of new sanctions against Russia and the disbursement of the €90 billion EU aid package to Ukraine until the Druzhba oil pipeline is restored to operation.