Volodymyr Zelensky

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky hopes Ukraine will receive the first tranche of the massive loan by the end of spring or the beginning of summer.

Responding to NPR in a voice message, Zelensky said this money will be used for strengthening the Ukrainian military.

It is social support for our people, he says, support for our army and the production of drones, electronic warfare systems.

Hungary and Slovakia opposed the multi-billion loan for Ukraine for months.

They approved it only after the two countries began receiving Russian oil again through a pipeline that goes through Ukrainian territory and temporarily was not operating.

Polina Litvinova, NPR News, Kyiv.

This is dangerous.

Good for them.

That is like the worst strategy I've ever heard.

It's important that pressure on Russia continues, sanctions and all other restrictions.

But it's just as important that Russia is held accountable for this aggression legally and practice.

And that Russian war criminals do not enjoy normal life, normal life, but face fair sentences.

This is necessary, just as it was necessary after the Second World War.

And this is what we are doing here in Europe.

Here in the Netherlands, we are working to launch the tribunal for Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

And I thank you for your help.

We are working to ensure that the international legal system is formed and uncompromising toward Russian war criminals.

Please support this.

And please remember, all freedoms are ours.

Fragile without the most basic freedom freedom from ruins Without basic security and when those who start wars feel no accountability So do not let Russia go unpunished