Zelensky meets leaders of France, Germany and Italy in Kyiv
Photo by BFMTV
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky met with European leaders, in particular, President of France Emmanuel Macron, at the Maryinskyi Palace in Kyiv
The French TV channel BFMTV reported this, posting a photo.
Zelensky and Macron, along with the leaders of Italy, Germany, and Romania, met for the first time since russia's invasion began on February 24.
"After visiting Irpin, European leaders returned to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss arms supplies and Ukraine's possible accession to the EU," the statement said.
As reported by Rubryka, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi arrived in Kyiv by train. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis joined them in Kyiv.
"It's an important moment. It's a message of unity we're sending to the Ukrainians," French President Emmanuel Macron said after pulling into Kyiv on an overnight train along with Germany's Olaf Scholz and Italy's Mario Draghi.
Uncertainty about the leaders' visit persisted until recently. On the evening of June 15, Western media reported, citing sources, that Macron, Scholz, and Draghi still plan to travel to Kyiv together on Thursday to show support for Ukraine and discuss its application for EU membership.
Macron's and Scholz's trip could mean a change in their rhetoric about russia's invasion of Ukraine. Both leaders have been criticized for calling putin, blocking military aid, and more.
In the morning, the leaders of European countries visited Irpin, Kyiv region. We should note that 75% of Irpin's buildings were destroyed due to the invasion of russian troops. russian invaders tortured and killed civilians during weeks of occupation before Ukrainian forces liberated the territory.
Macron praised the heroism of Ukrainians after his visit to Irpin.
"It's both a heroic town because it is here that, amongst other places, the Ukrainians stopped the Russian army descending on Kyiv, so you have to imagine the army's heroism but also of the Ukrainian people," he added, quoted by Le Monde.
Politico reports that stopping in front of a building covered in graffiti that read "Make Europe not war," Macron said, "it's very moving to see that." "We will rebuild everything," Draghi added, speaking to the press during the visit.
Scholz added that Irpin is an example of "the brutality of the russian war of aggression, which is simply out to destroy and conquer" and of an ongoing invasion being continued "without regard for human life."
