Your trusted source

European Union leaders arrived Thursday in Kyiv with a message of support for the Ukrainian people, while Ukraine’s president warned of a push by Russian forces ahead of the one year anniversary of Russia’s "invasion", VOA News reported.

“We are here together to show that the EU stands by Ukraine as firmly as ever. And to deepen further our support and cooperation,” EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted.

EU foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell said the delegation was in Kyiv to convey the EU’s “strongest message of support to all Ukrainians defending their country.” He added that the EU has stood with Ukraine since the start of Russia’s war and “will still stand with you to win and rebuild.”

EU and Ukrainian leaders are set to meet at a summit Friday to discuss the EU’s response to the conflict, reconstruction and relief efforts, global food security, and Ukraine’s application to join the EU.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly address Wednesday that Russia is trying to achieve some battlefield gains to show on the first anniversary of the war on February 24.

“In such circumstances, we all need to be especially united, especially focused on the national interest, and, as a result, especially resilient,” Zelenskyy said. “I am confident that we will stay like that.”

He noted what he called an increase in Russia’s offensive actions in eastern Ukraine, saying the situation “is becoming even more severe.”