European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called Ukraine “the beating heart of today’s European principles” during her May 9 visit to Kiev.
Von der Leyen’s trip was further confirmation of EU support for Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that during the talks in Kiev, he and von der Leyen discussed defense issues, sanctions against Russia and Ukraine’s European integration.
“Our efforts to unite Europe, security and peace must be as strong as Russia’s desire to destroy our security, our freedom, our Europe,” he told a joint press conference. .
Von der Leyen’s trip took place on what is celebrated as Europe Day in the EU. Ukraine will now also celebrate Europe Day on May 9, underlining its ambition to join Western institutions after applying to join the EU.
Von der Leyen, who arrived in Kiev shortly after the Russian airstrikes overnight, welcomed Zelenskyy’s decision to celebrate Europe Day.
“I’m happy to be back in Kiev. Where the principles we hold dear must be upheld every day,” von der Leyen tweeted. “Ukraine is at the forefront of defending everything that is dear to us as Europeans: our freedom, our democracy, our freedom of thought and expression. Ukraine is courageously fighting for the ideals of Europe, which we celebrate today.
Zelenskyy said he expects the imminent introduction of the eleventh EU sanctions package against Russia, which is expected to include tough sanctions against Russia’s nuclear sector.
He expressed hope that the EU summit in June would give a positive assessment of Ukraine’s integration process.
“Our values, security, our well-being, security on the continent – all of this can only be achieved 100% for Europe with Ukraine,” he stressed.
At the same time, Zelenskyy criticized trade restrictions on imports of wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower seeds from Ukraine to Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, introduced last week, calling to their abolition.
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