EU leaders to visit Kyiv on third anniversary since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

In a strong show of solidarity with Ukraine, European Council President António Costa announced that he will travel to Kyiv on Monday, 24 February 2025, alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The visit marks the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“Monday, 24 February, marks the third anniversary of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. I have decided to be in Kyiv for that occasion, with Ursula von der Leyen, to reaffirm our support to the heroic Ukrainian people and to the democratically elected president, Volodymyr Zelensky,” Costa stated in a post on social media platform X.

Earlier this week, von der Leyen had already confirmed her visit to Ukraine, accompanied by the entire College of European Commissioners.

EU Commission spokesperson: Ukraine is a democracy, Putin’s Russia is not

In response to recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who referred to Zelensky as a “dictator,” a European Commission spokesperson reaffirmed the EU’s position on Ukraine’s democratic legitimacy.

“Ukraine is a democracy. Putin’s Russia is not,” the spokesperson stated. “President Zelensky was elected in free, fair, and democratic elections. Our stance is clear: Ukraine is a democracy, unlike Putin’s Russia,” said Commission representative Stefan de Keersmaecker.

Source: ANA-MPA, orthodoxtimes.com