EU chief Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv on Tuesday to mark the Europe Day celebration of peace and unity, as Ukraine delivered a symbolic retort to Moscow’s Victory Day parade.
The president of the European Commission traveled on an overnight train from Poland to see President Volodymyr Zelensky and work on Ukraine’s quest for eventual EU membership, according to reporters on the train said.
The 27-nation bloc traditionally marks its “peace and unity” on May 9. On Monday, Zelensky said Ukraine would equally celebrate the day “together with all of free Europe.”
“Now, as 80 years ago, Ukraine is fighting against total evil. Now, just like 80 years ago, Ukraine is fighting for the future – its own and that of the whole of Europe, the whole free world. Now, as 80 years ago, we rely on the common strength of free nations and know that together with them we will always be part of a free Europe that will not submit to evil,” Zelensky said.
Russia celebrates the end of World War II on May 9 with a traditional Victory Day parade.
Von der Leyen has already visited Kyiv on several occasions since Russia’s invaded Ukraine 14 months ago. She has been a key supporter in setting sanctions targeting the Kremlin.
Zelensky was in the Netherlands only last week, where he urged the EU welcome to speed up the accession process. Ukraine has candidate status, but formal negotiations have not begun and they are likely to take several years.
