EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and 15 other Commissioners arrived in Kyiv on Thursday morning for two-day talks with the Ukrainian government. “We are here together to show that the EU is as committed to Ukraine as ever,” von der Leyen wrote on Twitter. A photo showed her after arriving on the night train.
Topics of the deliberations in Kyiv should be in particular further support options and the EU accession prospects for the country attacked by Russia. In addition, legal options for punishing Russia’s war of aggression will also be discussed. “Russia must be held accountable in court for its heinous crimes,” said von der Leyen. A center for evidence will be set up at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
It was “good to be back in Kyiv,” said von der Leyen on her fourth visit to the Ukrainian capital since the Russian invasion began almost a year ago. However, it is the first time that the former German defense minister will be accompanied by several commissioners. Among those present was the external representative Josep Borrell.
An EU-Ukraine summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will take place in Kyiv on Friday. In addition to von der Leyen, EU Council President Charles Michel also wants to take part. EU Council President Charles Michel is also expected to attend, but not the heads of state and government of the 27 member states.
