As Trump Cozies Up to Putin, World Leaders Head to Ukraine – Politico

Several European politicians will visit Ukraine on the anniversary of the full-scale invasion.

The administration of US President Donald Trump is changing American policy towards Ukraine. Against this backdrop, leaders of the EU and a number of countries will travel to Kyiv to unite around President Volodymyr Zelensky and discuss security guarantees.

The visit is scheduled for Monday, February 24, the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Politico reports . Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, European Council President Antonio Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be in Ukraine in person.

Meanwhile, the leaders of Lithuania, Latvia, Malta and Canada will join either in person or virtually, several officials told the publication. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola will also attend the meeting, although it has yet to be confirmed in what format she will be able to join.

“The visit comes on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, days after the US president blamed Ukraine for starting the war that Moscow began in February 2022,” the article emphasizes.

Earlier, the EU College of Commissioners announced it was heading to Ukraine to discuss the bloc’s security after top European leaders failed to attend Trump’s talks with Russia in Saudi Arabia on February 18.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that he expects several heads of state and EU leaders in Kyiv on February 24.

Now the Ukrainian leader is trying to rally allies after Trump called him incompetent and an “unelected dictator” who allegedly “tricked” the U.S. into shelling out tens of billions of dollars in military aid. Trump’s tirade has seen European leaders back down, and Ukrainian politicians, officials and military officials have also come to the defense of their president.

Several people involved in organizing the meeting said they could not disclose the names of the leaders attending for security reasons. Neither Croatia, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Poland, Estonia, Sweden, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands nor Germany responded to requests for comment on their potential participation. The Czech Republic said it would not send its leader to Ukraine.

As for French President Emmanuel Macron, he is expected to visit Washington next week. Former French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has confirmed that he will be in Kyiv for a week.

(c)UNIAN 2025