Zelensky to Visit Cyprus to Urge EU to Approve €90 Billion Loan

Moscow (ANTARA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the Informal European Union Summit in Cyprus to urge European country leaders to promptly accept Ukraine’s membership in the bloc and approve a loan worth €90 billion (Rp1.8 quadrillion).

As reported by the Financial Times on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the matter, the meeting in Ayia Napa on Thursday (23/4) and Friday (24/4) will be full of challenges, especially with Zelensky’s confirmed in-person attendance rather than via video call link.

Previously, on Monday (20/4), it was reported that Germany and France proposed granting symbolic European Union membership benefits to Ukraine, which contradicts Kyiv’s push for immediate full membership in the bloc.

In June 2022, the EU granted “candidate” status to Ukraine and Moldova, setting several conditions to begin accession talks for both countries in the EU.

Although they have received “candidate” status and accession talks have begun, this does not guarantee that those countries will become EU members.

For information, Turkey has been an EU membership candidate since 1999, North Macedonia since 2005, Montenegro since 2010, and Serbia since 2012.

Meanwhile, Croatia, the last country to join the EU, became a candidate in 2013 after a process that took 10 years.

Source: Sputnik/RIA Novosti