European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell arrived in Kiev. During the train journey to the Ukrainian capital, she told reporters that her main message to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was that there was a way for Ukraine to join the EU. “It usually takes years for the EU Council to accept the membership application, but Ukraine did it in a week or two,” she said. “Our aim is to present Ukraine’s candidacy to the Council this summer.”
Reuters/Janis Laizans
Von der Leyen is the first high-ranking Western politician to visit Ukraine since the war atrocities in the Kiev suburb of Bucha became known.
EU reopens representation in Kiev
The European Union Representation in Kiev reopens today. Borrell announced this during the train ride. The EU representation was completely evacuated the day after the start of the war, and from then on, a core team worked in Rzeszow, in southern Poland.
The ambassador’s trip and return must show “that Ukraine exists, that there is a capital, a government and representations of other countries”. The country is still under Ukrainian control, Borrell said. Referring to the train journey across the country, the Spaniard said: “You don’t feel like you’re at war.”
Fifth sanctions package proposed
In mid-March, the heads of government of Poland, Slovenia and the Czech Republic were in Ukraine to show solidarity. Last week, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, visited Kiev. Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) also announced a visit to Kiev.
In response to the killing of hundreds of civilians in Butscha, von der Leyen proposed a fifth package of sanctions against Russia on Tuesday, which EU states are now discussing. Among other things, it contains a ban on imports of coal from Russia, but also other restrictions on trade with Russia and an extensive ban on Russian ships entering EU ports. For some member states, sanctions are not enough.