Von der Leyen set to visit Kyiv Saturday for war anniversary

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be in Kyiv on Saturday to express support for Ukraine as it enters its third year of war with Russia, according to a European Commission official.

She will be accompanied by Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, whose country currently holds the presidency of the Council of the EU.

The visit comes amid Ukraine’s military and economic struggles at the two-year mark of Moscow’s full-scale invasion, with Russia winning ground on the battlefield and Ukraine hampered by a shortage of Western-supplied ammunition.

Von der Leyen is set to stress the EU’s continued support, as the bloc earlier this month agreed to provide €50 billion in aid to Ukraine and is working toward using the profits generated by confiscated Russian assets to finance Ukraine’s reconstruction. The EU also agreed on a new package of sanctions against Russia, which adds around 200 names to the list of individuals banned from traveling to the EU.

However, the EU’s 27 governments have yet to strike a deal to top up the Union’s defense fund and agree on joint arms purchases for Ukraine. Von der Leyen earlier this week also poured cold water on Kyiv’s hopes of taking quick next steps on its future accession to the EU.

Separately, G7 leaders will also meet virtually on Saturday to agree on a joint statement advocating their continued support for Ukraine.