Four Western leaders arrive in Kyiv as Ukraine marks two years of war

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Four Western leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the prime ministers of Belgium, Italy and Canada, arrived in Kyiv on Saturday (24 February) to show solidarity with Ukraine as it enters its third year of war with Russia.

European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Belgium’s Alexander De Croo, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, and Canada’s Justin Trudeau travelled to Kyiv together overnight by train from neighbouring Poland, according to government statements.

The visit comes at the two-year mark of Moscow’s full-scale invasion, with Ukraine’s military efforts continuing to be hampered by a shortage of Western-supplied ammunition and Russia gaining ground on the battlefield.

“More than ever, we stand firmly by Ukraine. Financially, economically, militarily, and morally. Until the country is finally free,” Von der Leyen wrote on X upon arrival.

Von der Leyen praised Ukraine’s “extraordinary resistance” as she arrived in Kyiv for her seventh visit since the start of the war.

Initial statement blocked

The EU’s top three officials vowed Friday (23 February) ahead of the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to keep up the bloc’s “strong and unwavering” backing for Kyiv to end the war.

“More than ever, we remain united and true to our promise to support Ukraine for as long as it takes,” the heads of the European Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament said in a statement.

The EU will “continue its strong and unwavering political, military, financial, economic, diplomatic and humanitarian support to help Ukraine defend itself, protect its people, its cities and its critical infrastructure, restore its territorial integrity, bring back the thousands of deported children, and bring the war to an end,” they said.

The three top officials pledged: “We will continue to address Ukraine’s pressing military and defence needs, including deliveries of urgently needed ammunition and missiles.”

However, EU diplomats said the statement was initially meant to come out in the name of the EU27 leaders but Hungary, Russia’s closest ally in the bloc, refused to sign it off.

[Edited by Nathalie Weatherald]