Zelenskyi arrived at the EU-Ukraine Summit

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi has arrived in Brussels to take part in the EU-Ukraine Summit.

The president's press service reported. 

"President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi arrived in Brussels on a working visit to take part in the 22nd EU-Ukraine Summit," the statement said.

It will be the first bilateral summit of the European Union with a partner country, which will take place in Brussels in the traditional "live" format since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of the President (OP) stated.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyi leads the Ukrainian delegation at the summit, and European Council President Charles Michel leads the EU delegation.

Photo Reuters

What do they plan to talk about?

During the meeting, the summit participants will discuss bilateral relations, including the socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and EU support for Ukraine. In addition, they will focus on the next steps of implementing the Association Agreement, including a deep and comprehensive free trade area, and the status of reforms in Ukraine.

The parties will also discuss the conflict in eastern Ukraine. On the eve of the meeting, Zelensky stressed that the European Union is helping Ukraine defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity by imposing sanctions on Russia for occupying Crimea and Donbas. Ukraine hopes that the European Union will support the sanctions regime against Russia. It will be an important issue to be discussed at the summit.

The President of Ukraine also noted that the economic support of the EU is very important for Kyiv after many years of the country's economy being focused on imports and exports of goods from/to Russia.

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What do they plan to sign?

Ukraine and EU will sign several financial agreements under the European Neighbourhood Instrument on the sidelines of the summit, in particular, regarding the support of eastern Ukraine, civil society, and climate change mitigation.

It is also planned to sign agreements with the European Investment Bank, which will provide funding for improving the energy efficiency of public buildings and modernization and the digitalization of Ukrposhta.

Photo Reuters