EU chief visits Kyiv to mark 2nd anniversary of Russia-Ukraine war

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - The European Commission head on Saturday visited Ukraine’s capital, marking the second anniversary of the war between Kyiv and Moscow.

"More than ever, we stand firmly by Ukraine. Financially, economically, militarily, morally. Until the country is finally free," Ursula von der Leyen said on X.

During her visit, she also handed over 50 new vehicles funded by the EU to the Ukrainian police.

"They will help them in their daily work. To bring security and stability in the territories liberated by the brave Ukrainian Armed Forces, and support the population. This is EU solidarity in action," she said.

Saturday marks two years since Russia launched its war on Ukraine, and also 10 years since it illegally annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula and the city of Sevastopol.

Top EU officials on Friday expressed the bloc's "strong and unwavering" support for Kyiv against Russia.

In a joint statement, European Council President Charles Michel, Ursula von der Leyen, and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola marked the "tragic anniversary."

The fact that the statement was made not on behalf of the EU but by the leaders of the three institutions of the EU with their own names caught attention.

Later on, it was learned that due to the opposition of Hungary, the statement could not be made with the consent of all member states.