EU chief Charles Michel on Thursday (19 January) said he was on his way to Kyiv to discuss with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy what “concrete measures” Europe can take to support Ukraine.
“I am on my way to Kyiv,” Michel said in a video he posted on his Twitter account, saying he would meet Zelenskyy as well as the prime minister and members of parliament. He also said he would “discuss with president Zelenskyy and his team what are the concrete measures we can develop in order to make sure they are stronger and more powerful”.
Apparently the video was made in a special train wagon which has been previously been used by foreign leaders visiting Kyiv after Russia started its war of aggression on 24 February 2022.
On my way to #Kyiv.
Ukrainians are fighting for their land, for the future of their children.
But they are also fighting for our common European values of peace and prosperity.They need and deserve our support. pic.twitter.com/ewLY4E9udX
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) January 19, 2023
Michel’s visit takes place on the eve of a landmark Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on Friday, hosted by US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin. The meeting is expected to coordinate further aid for Ukraine.
Another important milestone is the EU-Ukraine summit in Kyiv on 3 February, on the occasion of which the entire college of Commissioners is expected to travel to the capital of Ukraine. Michel is also due to attend the summit.
Both Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Michel have visited Kyiv since the beginning of the Russian invasion on 24 February. Their travel plans, however, had not been announced in advance for security reasons.
Read More: Charles Michel says on his way to Kyiv
