Von Der Leyen: The EU stands near Ukraine “for as long as it needs”

She made it known she had the first call this year with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

I've forwarded to the Ukrainian people my wholehearted support and best wishes for 2023”, von der Leyen wrote on Twitter.

“The EU stays close to you as long as it needs”, she added.

It also cited “strong financial assistance” continuing for Ukraine, and said the distribution of an 18 billion-euro package of support would start “soon”.

In a statement after the call, Zelenskiy said Ukraine was waiting to receive the first tranche in 2023 of EU macrofinance assistance this month.

“We feel support and we will win together”, he wrote on Twitter.

Von der Leyen has made numerous visits to Kiev since tens of thousands of Russian troops poured across the Ukrainian border from Russia and Belarus at the end of February to Europe's largest invasion since World War II.

The attack has run into established Ukrainian protection of its territory and unprecedented international sanctions on Moscow.

“We support your heroic fight”, wrote von der Leenen, describing it as a “struggle for freedom and against brutal aggression”.

She also said humanitarian efforts this winter will include <x0 generators, lamps, shelters, [and] school buses”.

Von der Leyen said he is eager to meet again with Zelensky “in Ukraine soon”. / REL/