Photo: UNIAN
Kyiv, 24 February 2025 – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa arrived in Kyiv to commemorate the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ursula von der Leyen announced her visit on Twitter.
“On the third anniversary of Russia’s brutal invasion, Europe is in Kyiv. We are here today because Ukraine is Europe. In this struggle for survival, not only the fate of Ukraine is at stake, but the fate of the whole of Europe,” von der Leyen said.
The main purpose of the visit is to commemorate the victims of the war and support the Ukrainian people, discuss security guarantees for Ukraine in the context of ongoing Russian aggression, and demonstrate political support for Ukraine’s aspirations for integration with the European Union.
Ursula von der Leyen said: “We are here to show that Europe stands with Ukraine. We will not leave you alone in this fight.” She also added: “The security of Ukraine is the security of the whole of Europe. We must act as a united front against aggression.”
The European Council plans to hold an extraordinary meeting on 6 March to discuss Ukraine’s security and further EU support.
This visit was a symbol of solidarity with Ukraine, demonstrating Europe’s readiness to support the Ukrainian people in their struggle for freedom and independence. The presence of EU leaders in Kyiv on the anniversary of the invasion underscores the importance of joint action in defence of democratic values.
