"I don't know where that message came from." Zelensky commented on rumors of a "tense conversation" with von der Leyen

President Volodymyr Zelensky denies that his meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session 22 September was difficult. His comment 24 September was published by "Novyny.LIVE".

Bloomberg agency claimed, citing sources, that the politicians held a "tense meeting." The Ukrainian side had expressed outrage over the lifting of sanctions on Russian businessmen Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov – Zelensky called such decisions "suicidal and counterproductive." And European officials demanded progress by Ukraine on legislative reforms before the European Union would provide more funding.

Zelensky emphasized that the negotiations were not difficult because he and von der Leyen had prepared them in advance during a phone call.

"The meeting was, by the way, absolutely positive. I don't know where that message came from. I would even say, a very positive meeting," the president stressed.

He confirmed that the discussion concerned shortages of weapons and money in Ukraine.

Zelensky explained that the military needs more interceptor missiles and additional weapons for F-16, therefore the war is becoming more expensive, and Europe "understands this perfectly."

The president also noted that of the €90 billion EU loan €45 billion is planned for this year, but part of the funds depends on the adoption of the relevant laws in Ukraine.

"I explained that parliament will support it, but to expect parliament to work as it does in a normal country, in normal peacetime, is impossible," he said.