On Tuesday, the Prime Ministers (PM) of Slovenia, the Czech Republic, and Poland, along with the Polish Deputy PM, arrived in Kyiv via train to meet with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and PM Denys Shmyhal in order to reaffirm the European Union’s (EU) support.
Prime ministers of Poland, Czech Republic and Slovenia arrived to Kyiv today, in a powerful show of solidarity with the Ukrainian people. These are true Slavic brothers of Ukraine, not Russians pic.twitter.com/hfp84KEaIl
— Olga Tokariuk (@olgatokariuk) March 15, 2022
Prior to his Kyiv visit, Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki, in a tweet, reiterated that the EU must guarantee “Ukraine’s independence” and be prepared to aid in the country’s reconstruction.
Upon his arrival in Kyiv, Morawiecki tweeted, “It is here, in war-torn Kyiv, that history is being made. It is here, that freedom fights against the world of tyranny. It is here that the future of us all hangs in the balance. EU supports UA, which can count on the help of its friends - we brought this message to Kyiv today.”
Together with Deputy PM Jarosław Kaczyński, PM @P_Fiala and PM @JJansaSDS we are going to Kiev to meet President @ZelenskyyUa and PM @Denys_Shmyhal. Europe must guarantee Ukraine's independence and ensure that it is ready to help in Ukraine's reconstruction.
— Mateusz Morawiecki (@MorawieckiM) March 15, 2022
Likewise, Czech PM Petr Fiala tweeted, “The aim of the visit is to express the European Union’s unequivocal support for Ukraine and its freedom and independence.”
Furthermore, Poland’s deputy PM and leader of the ruling PiS party, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, called for an international peacekeeping mission to Ukraine, saying, “I think that it is necessary to have a peace mission — North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), possibly some wider international structure — but a mission that will be able to defend itself, which will operate on Ukrainian territory.” He added that the mission’s primary goal would be to strike for peace and give humanitarian aid.
Calling Ukraine a “European country,” Slovenian PM Janez Janša said, “Every path in Ukraine is an European path. Soon, it will be an #EU path, too. For [the] last two years we have been discussing on large #Europeanvalues. Mostly a theoretical debate,” adding, “At this moment, speaking of our values, there in no country on the whole of our continent, which is more European than Ukraine. Thank you for not only defending your homeland and Europe as a territory, but for defending the very core of European values and our way of life. Your fight is our fight and together we will prevail.”
Together with @MorawieckiM & @P_Fiala we want to bring a message to 🇺🇦. Ukraine is an European country. Every path in 🇺🇦 is an European path. Soon, it will be an #EU path, too. For last two years we have been discussing on large #Europeanvalues. Mostly a theoretical debate. 1/4
— Janez Janša (@JJansaSDS) March 15, 2022
After the meeting with the PMs, Zelensky told reporters that Ukraine would win the war with allies like these. The Eastern European leaders were the first to visit Kyiv since the Russian invasion began on February 24. Zelensky briefed his European counterparts about the current military and humanitarian situation, as well as negotiations with Russia. Furthermore, he apprised them of the presence of three Chechen brigades among the Russian forces.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed the trip and hailed the countries’ efforts to aid Ukraine in different ways, underscoring the importance of continuing discussions with Zelensky, but also with Russian President Vladimir Putin, for a ceasefire. Meanwhile, EU leaders committed military aid worth $1.1 billion to Ukraine.
As well as in the cities of Kyiv, Izyum, Kremenchuk, Bila Tserkva, Nikopol, Mykolaiv, Kyiv, Izmail, Odesa, Poltava, and the Kryve Ozero area.
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) March 16, 2022
CNN reports that according to their team on the ground, loud explosions were heard in Kyiv's suburbs.
Kyiv to impose 36-hour curfew from late Tuesday says mayor
— KyivPost (@KyivPost) March 15, 2022
Ukraine's capital #Kyiv will impose a 36-hour curfew from Tuesday night amid a "difficult and dangerous moment" after several Russian strikes, Mayor #VitaliKlitschko says in a video posted to his Telegram channel. pic.twitter.com/606G1sZ0XH
The surprise visit comes in consultation with the European Council President, Charles Michel, and the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen. The purpose of the visit was to reaffirm support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and announce a support package for the embattled country. On Tuesday night, the city entered into a 36-hour curfew as peace talks between the Russian and Ukrainian officials resumed. In fact, their trip coincided with a period of heavy shelling by Russian forces.