In Davos, Zelenskyy Meets King and PM of Belgium, Which Chairs Council of the European Union

, 17 January 2024, 08:33

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with King Philippe of Belgium and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The leaders discussed Belgium’s priorities as the head of the Council of the European Union, particularly the upcoming commencement of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU.

Zelenskyy thanked King Philippe and Alexander De Croo for their defensive support of Ukraine, highlighting the decision regarding F-16 fighter jets, the training of Ukrainian pilots by Belgian experts, and the recent 15th package of military aid.

I assured President @ZelenskyyUa that the EU's support remains steadfast – both financial and military.

We discussed Russia’s ongoing aggression against #Ukraine

At #EUCO we will decide on how we can honor the commitment of your brave people to freedom and democracy. pic.twitter.com/4pl8FkNil4
— Alexander De Croo 🇧🇪🇪🇺 (@alexanderdecroo) January 16, 2024

He also acknowledged Belgium's leadership role in establishing a Fund of Ukraine, amounting to EUR 1.7 billion, funded by taxing profits from frozen Russian assets. Zelenskyy emphasised the importance of creating an effective mechanism for confiscating the aggressor's frozen assets.

The parties also discussed Belgium's participation in implementing steps of Zelenskyy’s Peace Formula.

"I assured President Zelenskyy that the EU's support remains steadfast – both financial and military," Alexander De Croo said.

On the sidelines of the WEF, Zelenskyy also met with Polish President Andrzej Duda, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Ukrainian President and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed to initiate the screening of Ukrainian legislation, which is a further step towards opening negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the European Union, in a week.