Zelenskyy, Kallas Explore Ways to Unlock USD105B in Blocked Credit

RunWithRugs · 2026-04-01T23:00:33+00:00

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy met with EU's Kaja Kallas to negotiate the release of €90 billion in frozen funds crucial for Ukraine's security. They also discussed sanctions against Russia and Ukraine's EU integration, with Kallas announcing an additional €80 million in aid.

RunWithRugs

2026-04-01 23:00:33

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(MENAFN) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy convened with EU High Representative Kaja Kallas in Kyiv on Tuesday, as both leaders sought a path forward to release €90 billion ($105 billion) in frozen credit lines critical to Ukraine’s survival and long-term security.

Zelenskyy stressed the strategic weight of the funds, describing them — per the presidential press service — as a financial guarantee of security not only for Ukraine but for the broader European continent. The credit has remained frozen since Budapest moved to block it on Jan. 27, retaliating against Kyiv’s decision to cut off energy deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia.

The two leaders also turned their attention to tightening sanctions against Russia, prioritizing early passage of the 20th EU sanctions package. Zelenskyy urged that maximum pressure be applied to advance the package — particularly given the partial rollback of existing sanctions on Russian oil. Talks further encompassed Ukraine’s European integration trajectory and the urgency of opening new negotiation clusters.

In a notable diplomatic gesture, Zelenskyy conferred upon Kallas the Order of Princess Olha, First Class — an honor bestowed on women for “personal merits in state, production, scientific, educational, cultural, charitable and other spheres of social activity, and for the upbringing of children in families.”

Kallas expressed gratitude for the distinction, pledging her continued commitment to Ukraine’s defense.

“I am honored to receive the Order of Princess Olha,” she wrote on the US social media platform X. “Ukraine has been on my mind every day since Russia started its war of aggression.”

Addressing reporters at a news conference during an informal session of the EU Council on Foreign Affairs in Kyiv, Kallas announced an immediate injection of fresh funds.

“Today, I am pleased that we are providing Ukraine with an additional 80 million euros, obtained from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets. Regarding energy needs, we briefly discussed this today. We continue to mobilize international support,” she said, according to medias.

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