Von der Leyen: The longer the war lasts, the more it will cost Russia

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has stated that supporting Ukraine and strengthening European defense remain the top priorities of the "Coalition of the Willing," a group of states that is seeking new ways to pressure Russia and end the war.

In a statement after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and leaders of European countries, Von der Leyen spoke about the possibility of using frozen Russian assets through a loan scheme that would help Ukraine with reconstruction, but described the process as a "complex issue."

"The proposal to use frozen Russian assets is complex, but it would increase the cost of war for Moscow," she stressed.

Von der Leyen warned that Russia will face increasingly serious consequences the longer the aggression in Ukraine lasts.

"The longer Putin continues his war, shedding blood, taking lives and destroying Ukrainian infrastructure, the higher the cost to Russia will be," the Commission president declared.

She added that the European Union is more united than ever in the face of Russian aggression and will continue to stand by Kiev with political, economic and military support.

"The bonds within Europe are stronger than ever. Member states will continue to stand together, supporting Ukraine and defending Europe," Von der Leyen underlined.

Her statements come at a time when the EU and Western allies are seeking to expand aid packages for Ukraine and find legal ways to use Russia's frozen assets in support of the victim of aggression.

Happening now...

00:00 crossword

Skemë e lirë 9 dhjetor

23:04 POLITICS

"They wanted to throw Saliu out of the student meeting, I intervened"/ Preç Zogaj recalls the events of December 1990

22:54 HAPPENING NOW

"There are 120 minors in rehabilitation at the Kavaja Institute"/ Journalist: 20 of them for murder

22:38 POLITICS

"You're making Rama cool" - FRPD official debates with PS youth: They send him a message about what you'll talk about in the studio

22:27 SPORT

Brawl after Elbasani-Vllaznia match, teams "clash" in the locker rooms, police intervene

22:20 POLITICS

Young socialist: Edi Rama, Sara Mile and Bora Muzhaqi inspire me, young democrat: Berisha does not inspire me

22:12 KOSOVA

Who was included and who was left out of the lists in the Kosovo elections?

22:02 HAPPENING NOW

"Children hide weapons in graves", Karamuço: Some put them in girls' bags, I have photos

21:50 POLITICS

"Our parties have become a curse and a threat" Krasniqi: The first pluralist parliament was part-time for MPs

21:42 POLITICS

"He sought to reconcile democratization with the preservation of power", Preç Zogaj explains Ramiz Ali's movements in December 1990

21:32 SPORT

Superliga/ Elbasan celebrates lead over Vllaznia, Dinamo defeats Flamurtari

21:24 POLITICS

Neritan Sejamini: Here's who defeated Ramiz Alia in the 1991 elections

21:22 HAPPENING NOW

"Big scandal, illegal eavesdropping device was introduced by the Italians!"/ Journalist tells what happened in Durrës: They hid it...

21:14 POLITICS

Salianji and his friends are tired in vain, the young man on the podium in front of the Prime Minister's office: This is Sali Berisha's party

Want to read more news