EU Council President Charles Michel announced on Thursday that he was “on his way to Kyiv” where he will discuss new support measures for Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has called for faster arms deliveries.
The two leaders will “discuss concrete measures (…) to ensure that (Ukraine) becomes stronger and more powerful,” Charles Michel said in a video message published on Twitter. NATO allies have pledged “increased support with heavier and more modern weapons” to Kyiv to counter Russia’s offensive.
“Ukrainians are fighting for their country, for the future of their children. But they also fight for our common European values of peace and prosperity. They need and deserve our support,” said the President of the European Council, representing the 27 EU Member States.
He said he will also meet Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Chmygal and members of the country’s parliament in Kyiv.
This visit comes on the eve of a meeting of the Contact Group for Ukraine in Ramstein, Germany, bringing together some fifty countries led by the United States. Their talks will focus on coordinating assistance to Ukraine, and in particular on the supply of heavy armor and advanced anti-aircraft systems.
The UK has already pledged 14 Challenger 2 heavy tanks, and Poland says it is ready to send 14 German-made Leopard 2 tanks if Berlin approves their re-export to Ukraine.
Pressure is mounting on Chancellor Olaf Scholz to authorize the use of Leopard 2, which is deployed in several NATO member armies.