EU leaders pledge support ‘every step of the way’ as air raid sirens sound across Ukraine during visit
- EU leaders are in Kyiv to demonstrate support for Ukraine as the first anniversary of Russia’s February 24, 2022, invasion of its neighbour approaches
- They discussed more arms, money and energy support for Ukraine, access in EU market, tightened sanctions on Russia, and efforts to prosecute war crimes
Air raid alerts sounded across Ukraine on Friday as President Volodymyr Zelensky hosted European Union leaders to discuss further sanctions on Russia and Ukraine’s prospects of joining the European bloc.
The head of the EU’s executive commission and the chairman of the 27 EU national leaders travelled to Kyiv to demonstrate support for Ukraine as the first anniversary of Russia’s February 24, 2022, invasion of its neighbour approaches.
“There will be no let up in our resolve. We will also support you every step of the way on your journey to the EU,” EU chairman Charles Michel wrote on Twitter on Friday morning under a picture of himself on a central Kyiv square.
There were no immediate reports of fresh missile strikes following the air raid warning.
Zelensky is calling for more punitive measures against Russia by the European Union, though new sanctions the bloc is preparing for the anniversary are set to fall short of his government’s demands.
Kyiv applied to join the bloc days after Russia invaded last year. The EU has embraced the application, although it has rebuffed Ukraine’s calls for a fast track to membership while the country is at war.