BOn their trip to Kyiv are the Federal Advisers Olaf Schulz Three other European heads of state and government met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for talks. Schulz, the French president Emmanuel MacronPrime Minister of Italy Mario Draghi the president of romania Klaus Johannes He was received by Zelensky at the presidential palace this Thursday afternoon. As usual, he wears a khaki shirt and the rest wear suits and ties.

After a joint photo session in front of the building, senior politicians sat at a round table. A press conference is scheduled for this afternoon.

Before the meeting, the European guests were in the suburb of Kyiv Irbin He visited and witnessed the devastation caused by the Russian attacks. Similar to neighboring Bucha, approximately 300 civilians, some of whom were executed, were found there after the Russians withdrew at the end of March.

The Special Envoy of the Ukrainian President on the prospects for joining the European Union, Oleksiy Chernyshev, led the four top politicians In Irbin on the ruins of houses Transient, which was damaged by Russian bombing. During the visit, Schulz condemned the „brutality” of Russia’s aggressive war. Talk about meaningless violence. Innocent civilians were injured and homes were destroyed. An entire city was destroyed as there were no military structures at all. „This says a lot about the brutality of the Russian war of aggression, which is simply to destroy and conquer.” The devastation at Irvine is a „very important reminder” that something must be done.

Macron made a similar statement. He spoke of signs of war crimes in the wake of the „massacres” of the Russian forces and condemned the „barbarism” of the attacks that destroyed the city.

Before the war, almost 60 thousand people lived in Irbin. Russian troops could not completely occupy the village, but approached the city limits of the capital to a distance of a few kilometers.

Already while driving, the Ukrainian Scholz has more Full support in their fight against Russia’s attack Certain. “It is important that the heads of government of the three big countries, who co-founded the European Economic Community, go to Kyiv and show their support for Ukraine and the people of Ukraine in this very special situation of war. But we not only want to show solidarity, we also want to emphasize that assistance That we regulate, the financial, the humanitarian, but also when it comes to weapons, it will continue.”

Support will continue for as long as necessary for Ukraine’s struggle for independence. At the same time, it will become clear once again that it is supposed to Sanctions against Russia It is of great importance. Because they contribute to the chance that Russia will abandon its plan and withdraw its forces again. Because that’s the goal,” Schulz emphasized.

Air alert shortly after arrival

The air alarm, which was set off shortly after Schulze, Macron and Draghi arrived in Kyiv, was canceled about half an hour later. This was confirmed by the German news agency’s correspondent on the site. Meanwhile, there were also weather alerts in several other parts of the country.

Feedback on visits

Mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko He was delighted with Schulze’s arrival. „As mayor, I am happy and proud that the German chancellor is visiting our city with the French president and the Italian prime minister,” he told Bild newspaper.

Also the former Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko Schulze and his colleagues welcomed the Kyiv trip. In an interview with the Italian TV channel RaiNews24, the politician was convinced that the visit of the three European heads of state and government would contribute to greater support for the country being attacked by Russia. „I think the three leaders from Italy, Germany and France will become more convinced to stay with Ukraine after or during their trip,” she said.

Former President of Russia Dmitriy Medvedev He criticized the joint trip to Kyiv as useless. „European lovers of frogs and liver spaghetti love to visit Kyiv,” Medvedev wrote in his book. Twitter account. „without advantage.”

Politicians had to travel by train as they did 100 years ago. Medvedev, who is now deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, said they had pointed to the possibility of EU membership and Ukraine’s „old howitzers”. „All is well. But it will not bring Ukraine any closer to peace. The clock is ticking.”

Macron had said the day before, during his visit to a NATO base in Romania: „We have to do Sending political signals to Ukraine as the European Union (…) before the EU summit, which has to make important decisions. „

At the summit meeting next week, EU heads of state and government are expected to discuss Ukraine’s membership application. A recommendation from the European Union Commission on whether to grant Ukraine candidate country status is expected this week.

Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine on February 24. So far, Ukraine has managed to withstand militarily superiority, but it is dependent on armaments from abroad. Zelensky and his command asked their partners in the first place for the acquisition of heavy weapons.

Zelensky will also protect the interests of his war-torn country with Represented at the G7 and NATO summits at the end of June. Zelensky said on Twitter Wednesday evening that he gratefully accepted invitations to attend major meetings. It was not clear at first whether the Ukrainian head of state would leave his country for this purpose or whether the video would be used as in other meetings. In general, Zelensky has seen significant progress in international support for his country, he said in his video address that evening.

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On the other hand, the military situation – especially in eastern Ukraine – remained very tense. „The fierce struggle for the Luhansk region continues,” said Ukrainian Supreme Commander Valery Zalochny. He wrote on Facebook that Russian forces attacked there from nine directions simultaneously. The European Union Commission wants to present its recommendation in Brussels on Thursday on whether Ukraine will gain the coveted status as a candidate country.

Many international connections to Ukraine

In the evening video, Zelensky listed all of Wednesday’s international contacts: phone calls with US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and a meeting with the heads of government of Albania and Montenegro, Edi Rama and Dritan Abazowicz. Zelensky said the meeting of the U.S.-led Ukrainian Contact Group on Wednesday in Brussels sent a signal that arms shipments would stabilize.

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