The EPP Group Chairman Manfred Weber MEP is in Kyiv today to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky and other senior members of the Government, civil society, the business community and the Orthodox Church.
“It is good to be back in Ukraine to express our full support in the fight against the Russian war machine. Nobody believed Ukraine would have the power and courage to fight back so strongly. No matter how long it takes, Russia must be defeated in Ukraine,” says Chairman Weber.
Amid growing concerns about the reliability of American arms supplies, the EPP Group is pushing for Europe to step up its support.
“Europe must urgently prepare for a second Trump Presidency, which would have immediate consequences for our security and the Ukrainian army’s chances of defeating the Russian army. Everything from weapon deliveries to ammunition production in Europe should finally be put on a wartime footing,” he adds.
In addition to military investment, the EU should also invest in the economy of Western Ukraine. “The Ukrainian budget should be stabilised by the EU with the agreement on the €50 billion support package. At the same time, we must work to direct investment into the economy. We want European business investments that create jobs to support the Ukrainian economy,” Weber concludes.