KYIV: EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Friday arrived Kyiv to offer support ahead of winter, as Russia continues its bombing campaign against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
“This is my eighth visit to Kyiv, coinciding with the start of the heating season and ongoing Russian attacks on energy facilities,” she posted on X (formerly Twitter), sharing a photo from a rail station. “We will assist Ukraine in its courageous efforts. I am here to discuss Europe’s support, from winter preparedness to defense, as well as Ukraine’s accession and progress on G7 loans.”
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has persisted for over 30 months, with Ukraine controlling parts of Russia’s Kursk region while Moscow intensifies its advance in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine has been advocating for its allies to permit the use of donated weapons to target “legitimate” military sites deep within Russian territory.
The United States and Britain have been in discussions about allowing this, but EU member states remain divided on the matter.
On Thursday, the European Parliament passed a resolution urging EU countries to permit Kyiv to use Western weapons against military targets inside Russia.
Currently, Washington only authorizes Ukraine to strike Russian targets in occupied areas and some border regions directly related to combat operations.
