European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell arrived in Kiev on Friday. During the solidarity visit to the Ukrainian capital, the two will meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, among others. The EU politicians traveled by train. Their visit is intended to show that the EU is “more than ever” on the side of Ukraine.
Ukraine urgently needs help and should emerge from the war as a democratic country, von der Leyen said on his way to Kiev. Germany and other donors stand ready to help rebuild and reform the country.
The former German defense minister is accompanied by a delegation that also includes EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell.
She is the first top Western politician to visit Ukraine since the war atrocities in the Kiev suburb of Bucha became known. She and Borrell already saw victims of the massacre on Friday.
In mid-March, the heads of government of Poland, Slovenia and the Czech Republic were in Ukraine to show solidarity.
Last week, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, visited Kiev. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) has also announced a visit for the coming days.
In response to the murder of hundreds of civilians in Bucha, von der Leyen proposed a fifth sanctions package against Russia, which has now been approved by EU countries (see video below).
It includes an import ban on coal from Russia, as well as further restrictions on trade with Russia and a comprehensive entry ban on Russian ships in EU ports. For some Member States, the sanctions do not go far enough.
7.5 million euros for investigations
Borrell also announced 7.5 million euros for the investigation of the crimes in the Kiev suburb of Bucha and other places. The visit should also discuss how, in particular, the EU’s military assistance to Ukraine in the fight against Russia can be better managed. He previously proposed an extra 500 million euros for the army.
The representation of the European Union reopened on Friday in Kiev.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
