European Commission president says she has arrived in Kyiv to discuss support for Ukraine


European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrives for a meeting of the Board of Commissioners in Brussels, Belgium, September 18, 2024. JOHN THYS/Pool via REUTERS/ File Photo

KYIV (Reuters) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday she had arrived in Ukraine's capital Kyiv to discuss Europe's support, winter preparedness, defence and progress on the G7 loans.

"My 8th visit to Kyiv comes as the heating season starts soon, and Russia keeps targeting energy infrastructure," von der Leyen said on the X social network.

Von der Leyen said on Thursday that the sum of 160 million euros from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets would be allocated to meet Ukraine's urgent humanitarian needs for this winter.

Russia has knocked out about 9 gigawatts (GW) of Ukraine's energy infrastructure, which von der Leyen said was the "power equivalent of the three Baltic states".

She also said that the EU aimed to restore 2.5 GW of power generating capacity and would increase exports to supply 2 GW of electricity to Ukraine.

Von der Leyen will meet Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other officials.

(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Michael Perry)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

Detained Myanmar ex-leader Suu Kyi to meet legal team this weekend
For War Powers Resolution purposes, US hostilities with Iran that began in February have 'terminated', official says
Protesters clash with Australian police after suspected killer of Indigenous girl arrested
U.S. stocks close higher amid strong corporate earnings
US judge rejects Trump administration's halt on immigration applications
Canada's GDP up 0.2 pct in February
Apple reports record March-quarter revenue
Brazil’s Lula plans new nomination to Supreme Court after historic defeat, sources say
Ukrainian drone kills two teenagers in Russia's Belgorod region
California gas prices top 6 USD as national average hits four-year high

Others Also Read