Janša Thanks Ukrainians for Sacrifice During Kyiv Visit

Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša visited Kyiv, meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other regional leaders. The visit occurred on Ukraine's Statehood Day, July 15, and coincided with the fifth Europe–Ukraine summit. Janša's trip followed his confirmation at the NATO summit in Ankara that Slovenia would provide an additional $50 million in military assistance to Ukraine. During his address at the Statehood Day ceremony in Kyiv, Janša recalled his March 2022 visit, made shortly after the full-scale Russian invasion began. He emphasized the message of solidarity: "We wanted to tell you that you are not alone – that your fight is our fight." He added, "When we returned from Kyiv, where it was much colder than today, we told our friends that Ukraine would never surrender. That you would win." Four years later, Janša noted that Ukraine has broad international support, and its European Union membership is becoming a reality. "You must realize that this was possible only or primarily because of you. Thank you for your sacrifice, congratulations on your courage," he told the Ukrainian people. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also praised Ukraine's progress toward EU membership. During the visit, she detailed a new EU-Ukraine defense partnership aimed initially at producing drones and counter-drone systems. "The key is that we will produce [drones] faster than ever before. This will ensure Ukraine receives the capabilities it needs today, and Europe as a whole will build capabilities it may need tomorrow," she stated. Von der Leyen announced one billion euros in initial funding for this initiative, followed by an additional ten billion euros for developing and procuring missiles and military jets. This funding will be disbursed as part of a 90 billion euro loan package for Ukraine approved by the EU this year. Ukraine has reportedly already signed similar drone cooperation agreements with individual EU member states and Persian Gulf countries.

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We wanted to tell you that you are not alone – that your fight is our fight.