Ukraine and the European Union will hold a summit in Kiev on February 3, 2023

Profile photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European Commission President von der Leyen talk after talks in Kiev and a press conference. (15 September 2022)

Ukraine and the European Union will hold a summit meeting in Kiev on February 3 to discuss financial and military support, the office of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said in a statement on Monday (January 2).

Zelensky discussed the details of the high-level meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in his first phone call this year, the statement said.

“The parties discussed the expected results of the next Ukraine-EU summit, scheduled for February 3 in Kiev, and agreed to intensify preparations,” the statement said. The

two leaders discussed the supply of “appropriate” weapons and a new $19 billion financial aid program for Ukraine, which Zelensky has been urging to be sent to Ukraine this month, the statement said.

Last month, the European Union paved the way for the package in a deal dubbed a “mega deal” that included a 15 percent global minimum corporate tax rate.

Before the EU’s move, Zelensky emotionally appealed not to let internal disputes between the 27-member of the EU bloc get in the way of support for Ukraine.

(This article is based on a report by AFP.)