European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to travel to Kyiv on Europe Day on Tuesday, in a highly symbolic show of support for Ukraine in Russia's ongoing invasion.
Announced by a Commission spokesperson on Monday, this is the fifth trip von de Leyen has made to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February last year. The spokesperson added that the visit should be interpreted as "confirmation of the EU's unwavering support for [Ukraine]."
Europe has provided up to €67 billion in military, financial and humanitarian aid to Kyiv since the invasion. Ukraine was also officially granted EU candidate status in June last year.
In a historic trip to Brussels in February, Zelenskyy declared that Ukraine "will one day be a part of a victorious European Union." His remarks were echoed by von der Leyen, who said that the EU and Ukraine constitute "one family" with "one vision."
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The Commission President's trip also takes place on the same day that Russia celebrates Victory Day, which commemorates the country's triumph over Nazi Germany in World War Two.
In a pointed rebuke to Moscow, on Tuesday morning Zelenskyy announced that he had submitted a bill to the Ukrainian Parliament proposing to shift its version of Victory Day from 9 May to 8 May.
In a further snub, Zelenskyy noted that he had signed a decree declaring 9 May to be Europe Day in Ukraine.
