Zelensky meets with European Commission head in New York

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky met with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in New York, and stressed the importance of strategic dialogue on energy security.

“I thanked von der Leyen for the participation of the EU in the Crimea Platform Summit at the highest level & the allocation of a macro-financial aid tranche. Discussed preparations for the Ukraine-EU Summit on Oct 12. Stressed the importance of strategic dialogue on the EU energy security,” Zelensky wrote on Twitter.

Zelensky also discussed with the president of the European Commission the priorities in Ukraine’s relations with the European Union in the context of preparations for the 23rd Ukraine-EU Summit scheduled for Oct. 12 this year in Kyiv., the press service of the Ukrainian president said on Sept. 21 evening.

Zelensky stressed that the recognition of the European perspective and further integration of Ukraine’s economy into the EU internal market are among the key priorities of the state.

The president of Ukraine informed von der Leyen about the deteriorating situation in Crimea, in particular in view of another wave of illegal politically motivated arrests. He raised the issue of assistance in the release of almost 450 Ukrainians detained in the temporarily occupied territories and in Russia.

Von der Leyen noted the particular courage of the Ukrainian people in the struggle for independence and democracy.

Zelensky thanked her for the recent decision of the European Commission to allocate the second tranche of EU macro-financial assistance in the amount of 600 million euros.

The president of the European Commission noted the significant progress that Ukraine has made on the path of reforms.

During the meeting, special attention was paid to energy security issues in Europe. According to Zelensky, the Nord Stream 2 project is first and foremost a security challenge for the European region.

He noted that Ukraine is ready to hold official consultations on Nord Stream 2 in the near future, as well as other issues related to Russia’s monopolization of the European gas market.

Zelensky and von der Leyen discussed the results of the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, which took place in Kyiv, as well as the issue of joining the summit declaration.

As reported, on the evening of Sept. 20, Zelensky arrived in New York to participate in the 76th session of the UN General Assembly. The annual debate runs until Sept. 27.

Zelensky is expected to speak at the general debate of the UN General Assembly on Sept. 22.