New heads of the European Council and EU diplomacy arrived in Ukraine on an unannounced visit
December 1 to Kyiv with an unannounced visit have arrived the new head of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaia Callas. This visit was their first official event in their new positions.
The visit of high-ranking officials is accompanied by the new EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, who is responsible for the process of Ukraine’s integration into the European Union.
Kosta and Kallas plan to meet with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi, as well as with representatives of the government, parliament and civil society. The main goal is to demonstrate Ukraine’s steadfast support in resisting the Russian invasion.
“We are here to send a clear signal: the EU supports Ukraine and will continue to do so.” Antonio Costa said.
Kaya Kallas emphasized the importance of European support for Ukraine, especially given the uncertainty in aid from the US after the election of Donald Trump.
“Europe must show that it is on the side of Ukraine. We all want peace, but for this Ukraine must remain strong – both on the battlefield and at the negotiating table.” Kallas emphasized.
She also noted that the most reliable security guarantee for Ukraine after the ceasefire will be its accession to NATO.
This symbolic visit took place shortly after Koshta and Callas were appointed to their positions. Kaja Kallas, the former prime minister of Estonia, replaced Josep Borrell, while Antonio Costa, who previously headed the Portuguese government, replaced Charles Michel.
Changes in the leadership of the EU were the result of the elections to the European Parliament in the summer of 2024. Ursula von der Leyen remained in the post of President of the European Commission, and the new composition of the European Commission was approved a few days ago.
