Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hosted a group of Western leaders who arrived in Kyiv by train on Saturday, February 24, 2024, to mark the second anniversary of the outbreak of the war between Ukraine and Russia. The leaders included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Belgian Prime Minister Alexandre De Croo, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The train journey was a symbolic gesture of solidarity and support for Ukraine, which has been struggling to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against Russian aggression since 2022. The Ukrainian army is facing a shortage of ammunition and weapons, and foreign aid is uncertain due to political and economic pressures.
Zelensky posted a video on social media with the Western leaders from Hostomel Airfield, where they boarded the train. He thanked them for their friendship and cooperation and expressed hope for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Odessa hit by Russian drone attack
The Western leaders’ visit came shortly after a deadly Russian drone attack on a residential building in the southern city of Odessa, which killed at least one person and injured three others. The attack occurred on Friday evening, February 23, 2024, and caused significant damage to the building and nearby vehicles.
The local governor of Odessa, Oleh Kipar, condemned the attack as a “cowardly and barbaric act of terrorism” and said that the authorities were working to identify and assist the victims. He also urged the residents to remain calm and vigilant and to report any suspicious activities to the police.
The drone attack was the latest in a series of Russian provocations and violations of the ceasefire agreement that was signed in 2022 but has been repeatedly breached by both sides. The war has claimed over 10,000 lives and displaced more than a million people, according to the United Nations.
Von der Leyen pledges support for Ukraine
Upon arriving in Kyiv, the Western leaders held a joint press conference with Zelensky, where they reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, security, and prosperity. They also announced a new package of humanitarian and economic assistance for Ukraine, as well as increased military and diplomatic cooperation.
The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, said that the EU stood with Ukraine “more strongly than ever before” and that it would not accept any change of borders by force. She said that the EU was ready to impose further sanctions on Russia if it continued to escalate the situation and to support the implementation of the Minsk Agreements, which aim to end the war and restore peace.
“We are with Kyiv economically, militarily, morally as long as the war continues,” she said. “We will not let Ukraine down. We will not let Europe down. We will not let democracy down.”
