Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, has held her first phone conversation of the new year with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying that she is looking forward to visiting Ukraine again soon.

Ursula von der Leyen expressed total support for Ukraine and sent her best wishes for this year, promising to continue providing practical aid from the European Union. 

The European Commission President highlighted once again the generators, equipment for installing temporary shelters, school buses, etc. that have already been supplied.

She said the European Union would soon start disbursing funds from the approved €18 billion package of macro financial aid for Ukraine in monthly tranches.   

"The EU stands by you, for as long as it takes. We support your heroic struggle. A fight for freedom and against brutal aggression," she tweeted.

She added that she hopes to meet Zelenskyy in Ukraine soon. 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy himself has confirmed the conversation, pointing out that it has been also his first official phone call in the new year. He said that in January, Ukraine should receive the first tranche of 18 billion from the EU, as well as a batch of LED lamps, school buses, generators, and modular houses.

Glad to start the year talking to @vonderleyen. Thanked for the EU support. Waiting for the 1st tranche of macro-fin aid in Jan, the 1st batch of LED-lamps, school buses, generators & modular houses. Coordinated steps on 🇺🇦🇪🇺 Summit. We feel support & will win together.

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 2, 2023

Matti Maasikas, the EU ambassador to Ukraine, has said that since February 2022, the EU has allocated approximately €485 million to help civilian Ukrainians affected by the war; this amount does not include the cost of the generators.