EU chief, leaders of Italy, Belgium , Canada land in Ukraine's Kiev
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The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says that the EU will adamantly stand with Ukraine "financially, economically, militarily and morally".
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Ukraine, Kiev on February 24, 2024 (Ursula von der Leyen X account)
European Commission leaders landed in Kiev on Saturday to show support for Ukraine's war efforts on the second anniversary marking the start of the war in 2022.
Visitors included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Italy's Giorgia Meloni, Belgian Prime Minister and current chief of EU's Council Alexander De Croo, in addition to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Read more: France, UK, Australia vow unwavering support for Ukraine
“More than ever we stand firmly by Ukraine. Financially, economically, militarily, and morally. Until the country is finally free,” Von der Leyen said in a post on X after arriving to the capital.
A G7 videoconference scheduled later in the day will see Meloni giving an address from Kiev. US President Joe Biden and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky will also participate in the online call.
Read more: West was 'overly optimistic' about Ukraine in 2023: NATO commander
Challenges and aid
The visit comes against the backdrop of mounting challenges to Western support for Ukraine and growing field losses against the Russian military. These challenges include dwindling public support in European countries due to domestic economic crises, as well as challenges in maintaining financial and military aid for the war-torn ally.
Read more: Two years into Ukraine war, West fails to contain Russia: NYT
Moreover, Washington, as Kiev's primary aid provider, has encountered obstacles in renewing funds to Ukraine due to deep bipartisan divisions on prioritizing foreign assistance over pressing domestic economic and social issues. These challenges are compounded by the absence of a clear exit strategy.
The EU is also planning to resort to frozen Russian sovereign funds for the "future reconstruction of Ukraine," as it claims.
Last week, the bloc agreed to a €50 billion in aid to Ukraine and a new package of sanctions, banning around 200 new individuals from traveling to the EU.
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