(ANSA-AFP) - KYIV, SEP 20 - EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on
Friday announced plans for Brussels to lend Ukraine 35 billion
euros backed by revenues of frozen Russian assets and promised
to help Ukraine "keep warm" ahead of a third winter of war with
Russia. Von der Leyen was in Kyiv after a summer of intense
fighting and as fears grow for how Ukraine's war-battered energy
grid will cope this winter. The International Energy Agency has
said Kyiv faces its "sternest test" so far this winter, with
Moscow expected to launch another bombing campaign on the
country's already damaged infrastructure. The EU official's trip
also came ahead of President Volodymyr Zelensky going to the
United States to present plans to end two and a half years of
war. "The European Union is here to help you in this challenge
to keep the lights on, to keep your people warm and keep your
economy going as you fight for your survival," von der Leyen
said. "We are now confident that we can deliver this loan to
Ukraine very quickly, a loan that is backed by the windfall
profits from immobilised Russian assets," she added, speaking
alongside Zelensky. (ANSA-AFP).
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