US provides additional $1.3 billion in aid, EC accepts 'special responsibility' for Kiev, what does President Zelensky propose?

On June 21, at the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference in London (UK), US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced an additional aid package. In addition, European Union (EU) leaders affirmed their desire to help Kiev become part of the union in the future.

World leaders attend the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference in London (UK), June 21. (Source: AP)

Speaking at the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference held on June 21, the US Secretary of State announced the transfer to Ukraine of an additional aid package worth more than 1.3 billion USD, to help Kiev in the reconstruction and rebuilding of the energy grid.

“We will provide more than $1.3 billion in additional assistance to support Ukraine,” Mr. Blinken affirmed. “We will invest $520 million to help Ukraine overhaul its energy grid.”

Also at the conference, President of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen said that the EU has a "special responsibility" towards Ukraine in the long term, as she presented investment plans for this Eastern European country.

According to the EC President, reconstruction is Ukraine's immediate need, but the EU has a "special responsibility" towards Kiev in the future.

“Ukrainians tell us that when they imagine their future, they see the European flag flying over their cities. And I have no doubt that Ukraine will be part of the union,” Ms. Leyen said.

Besides, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also emphasized that the process of rebuilding Ukraine after the conflict needs to be linked to the country's EU accession process.

“Our goal is to help rebuild a Ukraine that is eligible for EU membership,” Foreign Minister Baerbock said.

Meanwhile, present at the Conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave a speech calling on all parties to move towards practical projects to help Kiev rebuild.

“We must move from agreements to real projects... There is a Ukrainian delegation that will present specific issues and we propose to jointly consider these issues during my visit,” Mr. Zelensky said.

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