Uncover what's happening in the territories under Russian occupation
WATCH NOW
Skip to content
Edit post

UPDATE: EU Commission chief von der Leyen arrives in Kyiv

by Martin Fornusek November 4, 2023 10:03 AM 2 min read
Ukraine's Preisdent Volodymyr Zelensky (L) welcomes European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (R) during her visit to Kyiv on Nov. 4, 2023. (Ursula von der Leyen/X)
This audio is created with AI assistance

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has arrived in Ukraine's capital, welcomed by President Volodymyr Zelensky, the head of the EU's executive arm confirmed on the social media platform X on Nov. 4.

"Good to be back in Kyiv for my sixth wartime visit," the EU top-ranking official said.

"I'm here to discuss Ukraine's accession path to the EU. The EU's financial support to rebuild Ukraine as a modern, prosperous democracy. And how we will continue to make Russia pay for its war of aggression."

Von der Leyen is expected to deliver an address in the Verkhovna Rada, according to lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak.

The visit is scheduled to take only one day, the EU press service told the Kyiv Independent.

Media reports about von der Leyen's visit to Kyiv emerged last week. Her trip comes just as Ukraine is expecting the Commission's recommendation on the start of EU accession talks, to be issued on Nov. 8.

Several media have already indicated that the assessment should be positive. The actual launch of the accession talks must be then approved by EU leaders, presumably during a summit in December.

Von der Leyen visited Kyiv last time in May, meeting President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the EU ammunition supply plan and an upcoming package of sanctions against Russia.

Opinion: The geopolitics of EU enlargement
The debate surrounding the European Union’s potential expansion is no longer really about Ukraine and the western Balkans. Enlargement is now an existential question with far-reaching implications for the EU and its ability to remain a prominent player in a rapidly changing global environment. BERL…

News Feed

12:22 AM

Zelensky urges allies to increase pressure on North Korea.

Two North Korean brigades of up to 6,000 personnel each are currently undergoing training in Russia, Zelensky said in his evening address, citing military intelligence reports. "We expect a firm, concrete response from the world."
5:34 PM

Ukraine's Prosecutor General Kostin resigns.

"I am grateful to the president of Ukraine and Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada for their trust. But in this situation, I believe it is right for me to resign from the post of prosecutor general," he said.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.