Unblocking Ukraine loan ramps up pressure on Putin

The EPP Group welcomes the intention to unlock the 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine.

"The Ukrainians are the first to want to end this war immediately. Yet Putin is not under sufficient military pressure. Only such pressure can bring him to serious negotiations. US President Trump’s attitude is regrettable: putting pressure on the victim rather than the aggressor only emboldens Putin. This is a moment when we, as Europeans, can make a real difference. Unlocking the much needed funding for Kyiv now is in the common interest of Ukraine and the EU," said Michael Gahler MEP, the EPP Group’s lead MEP on Ukraine.

"We are engaged in a systemic confrontation with an aggressor who not only seeks victory by wiping Ukraine off the map of Europe, but also wants to destroy our European project. Europe is, by its very nature, a threat to his dictatorship. That is why we must show our determination to do whatever it takes for Ukraine to win. When Ukraine wins, we win. When Ukraine loses, we lose," emphasized Gahler.

Gahler also pointed to the responsibility of individual EU governments. "Let us hope that the era of Putin’s well-known admirers, sycophants and war profiteers inside the EU is over. While the European Parliament has consistently expressed its unwavering support by large majorities for Ukraine against Russia’s imperialist and Stalinist aggression, it is now up to our governments to deliver on what they have promised," Gahler concluded.