Kathmandu | European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed Europe’s unwavering support for Ukraine until its complete liberation as she, alongside three other Western leaders, landed in Kyiv to demonstrate solidarity on the second anniversary of Russia’s comprehensive invasion.
“More than ever, we stand firmly by Ukraine. Financially, economically, militarily, morally. Until the country is finally free,” Von der Leyen expressed on the social media platform X, following her journey with the other leaders via an overnight train from neighboring Poland.
The leaders toured Hostomel airport, the scene of a fierce battle at the onset of the invasion, where Russia attempted to airlift paratroopers to seize the capital Kyiv, situated just a few kilometers away.
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“We are here today to express gratitude to these brave men and women who, on February 24 two years ago, chose not to retreat but to fight,” Meloni remarked. “This location stands as a testament to Moscow’s failures and a symbol of Ukrainian pride.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warmly welcomed the Western leaders and delivered a televised address against a backdrop of destroyed aircraft.
“Two years ago, we confronted enemy troops with fire at this very spot, and today, we welcome our friends, our partners,” he stated.
According to the regional governor, Russian drones conducted a second consecutive night of attacks on the port of Odesa, striking a residential building and resulting in one fatality. In Dnipro, another Russian drone targeted an apartment building, leading to a rescue operation that discovered two deceased individuals.
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Simultaneously, a source in Kyiv reported that Ukrainian drones initiated a fire at a Russian steel plant, later identified by a Russian official as one located in Lipetsk, approximately 400 km (250 miles) from Ukraine. This particular plant contributes about 18% of Russian steel output.
During their brief visit, Meloni and Trudeau were anticipated to sign security agreements with President Zelenskiy, aligning with recent deals brokered with France and Germany, valued at billions of dollars.