The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, held a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Serhiy Koretskyi. According to her post on social media platform X, the two discussed European integration reforms, the implementation of the Drone Deal, preparations for the winter period and the protection of critical energy infrastructure.
Briefly about the main points
- Von der Leyen held a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyi.
- The parties discussed the reforms required for EU accession negotiations.
- Drone Deal aims to harness the EU’s potential to support the production of Ukrainian innovations.
- The EU has pledged its support for Ukraine’s energy sector ahead of winter.
- Serhiy Koretskyi was appointed Prime Minister by the Verkhovna Rada on 16 July.
Reforms on the path to negotiations with the EU
Ursula von der Leyen She described her conversation with the Ukrainian Prime Minister as «very good». She gave assurances that the European Union would continue to work closely with Ukraine on implementing the reforms necessary to advance negotiations on EU accession.
The discussion centred specifically on reforms linked to the European integration process.
How the EU envisages the implementation of the Drone Deal
A separate topic was the recently signed agreement on drones — Drone Deal. According to Ursula von der Leyen, the agreement should make it possible to harness the European Union’s industrial potential for the rapid and large-scale production of innovative defence equipment developed in Ukraine.
Thus, in the European Commission’s statement, the Drone Deal is linked not only to Ukrainian developments but also to production capabilities at EU level.
The energy sector ahead of winter
Koretsky von der Leyen also spoke about Ukraine’s preparations for winter and the protection of critical energy infrastructure.
The President of the European Commission stated that Ukraine can count on the EU’s full support. Among the areas of focus, she mentioned efforts to improve the governance of the energy sector.
Appointment of a new Prime Minister
Serhiy Koretskyi was appointed Prime Minister by the Verkhovna Rada on 16 July, following a nomination put forward by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Prior to this, he had been Chief Executive Officer of Naftogaz.
On the same day, parliament appointed the ministers of the Koretsky government, but did not vote on two ministers — the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Defence — whose nominations must be put forward by the President for consideration by the Verkhovna Rada.
The conversation with Ursula von der Leyen was an opportunity for the new head of government to discuss several practical areas of cooperation with the European Commission: reforms, the production of defence equipment and energy preparations for the winter.
