In a symbolic trip meant to show clear support for Ukraine, three European leaders boarded a train to the Ukrainian capital Kiev amid the heat of hostilities there.
Reuters reported that on March 15, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa boarded a train from Poland to the Ukrainian capital Kiev instead of using a private jet as usual. on tours. The trip was made at the request of the Polish side despite warnings from the European Union (EU) of potential security risks. Diplomats in a number of EU countries said they were notified only minutes before the trip was officially announced.
According to a BBC reporter, the three European leaders decided to choose the option of traveling by ship because the use of military aircraft could be viewed by Russia as a dangerous provocation.
Michal Dwoczyk, a senior aide to Prime Minister Morawiecki, told reporters that the vessel carrying the three European leaders and their delegation crossed the Polish-Ukrainian border at just after 8 a.m. local time. The three European leaders had a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and a number of other high-ranking Ukrainian officials in the capital Kiev, when tens of kilometers away, Russian forces were continuing to encircle and advance. into the city.
With this visit, the three European prime ministers are the first to visit Kiev since Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine on February 24. President Zelensky praised the visit of European heads of state: "Your visit is a strong message of support for Ukraine."
In a statement issued before the visit, the Polish government said: "The visit was organized in consultation with European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The visit is to affirm the EU's unequivocal support for Ukraine's independence and sovereignty.
After the three-hour trip, European officials posted pictures showing the three leaders looking at a map of Ukraine in one of the ship's compartments.
Prime Minister Morawiecki tweeted: "We must stop the tragedy that is happening in the East as soon as possible. That is why I am with European leaders in Kiev. We are here. came here, to the war-torn capital Kiev... the EU supports Ukraine, Ukraine can rely on the help of friends, that's the message we bring to Kiev today."
Speaking after a meeting with Ukrainian officials, Prime Minister Morawiecki also emphasized that Poland will make efforts to help Ukraine organize its defense. "We will never leave you alone. We will stand with you. Because we know that you are fighting not only for your country, for your independence and security, but also for us," he said. Prime Minister Jansa also stated that the EU is ready to support Ukraine's reconstruction.
The visit is seen as symbolic, showing Europe's support for Ukraine, but many are concerned that it could affect the current negotiating prospects between Russia and Ukraine. The visit took place in the context of Russian forces advancing, approaching the capital Kiev. Ukrainian officials said that Kiev was attacked with missiles, causing damage to infrastructure and causing casualties.
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