Von der Leyen in Kyiv on Statehood Day, pledges stronger EU support

Kyiv,UPDATED: Jul 15, 2026 19:26 IST

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Kyiv on Ukraine's Statehood Day and pledged continued military and financial support for the country's sovereignty as it fights Russia's full-scale invasion. Senior officials from southeastern European countries were also expected in the Ukrainian capital for a meeting on Black Sea and regional security, after last year's gathering in Odesa reaffirmed support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Ukraine marks Statehood Day as a public holiday celebrating its self-determination. The country has faced Russian aggression since the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, followed by the full-scale invasion in 2022. The war has killed thousands of soldiers and civilians, forced millions from their homes, reduced some cities to rubble and raised fears of a wider conflict between Russia and NATO, while no peace settlement is in sight. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has recently secured fresh support, including from the Group of Seven industrialised nations and the Coalition of the Willing countries.

Von der Leyen said this was her 11th visit to Kyiv during the war. Europe remains alert to Russia's wider intentions on the continent and has provided Ukraine with billions of dollars in aid along with diplomatic backing. She said she would announce new steps to bring the European and Ukrainian defence industries closer together, and provide help to prepare Ukraine's air defences for the colder months, when Russia usually targets electricity and heating systems in what Kyiv officials call "weaponising winter". On social media, she said: "It's a special moment. Ukraine has built a strong military momentum. The tide is turning."

Her visit came as Western officials and analysts said Ukraine's drone and missile strikes were hitting high-profile targets deep inside Russia, disrupting Moscow's supply lines and causing civilian fuel shortages. Washington also appeared ready to increase economic pressure on Moscow with a proposed sanctions bill in the US Senate that would impose steep tariffs on goods from countries that continue to buy Russian oil, gas and other exports. The ceremonies in Kyiv took place at a sensitive political moment for Zelenskyy as he manages a major government reshuffle. Serbia's Moscow-friendly President Aleksandar Vucic was among those attending the Southeast Europe Summit in Kyiv. Serbia relies almost fully on Russia for energy and has refused to join Western sanctions on Moscow, though it officially supports Ukraine's territorial integrity.

Ukrainian officials said at least nine civilians were killed and 13 others were injured in Russian aerial attacks. In the northern Sumy region, Russian forces dropped six glide bombs, mostly targeting infrastructure, killing three people and injuring seven, regional military administration head Oleh Hryhorov said. In Odesa, three people were killed and three others were injured in a Russian attack, according to Serhii Lysak, the head of the city's military administration. In the northern Chernihiv region, Russian drones killed two people and seriously injured an 18-year-old, while in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, one person was killed and two others were injured, officials said. Russia's Defence Ministry said its air defences overnight intercepted 93 Ukrainian drones over several Russian regions, as well as over Crimea and the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea.

The day brought fresh assurances of European backing for Ukraine, even as the war continued to exact a heavy toll and diplomatic efforts remained stalled. As Ukraine observed Statehood Day, its leadership balanced new international support, a regional security meeting and a government reshuffle against continuing Russian attacks.

With PTI Inputs

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