The heads of the European Union arrived in Kyiv Monday to show solidarity with Ukraine on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion, which has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions.
“We are in Kyiv today, because Ukraine is Europe. In this fight for survival, it is not only the destiny of Ukraine that is at stake. It’s Europe’s destiny,” EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said on social media.
She arrived with the president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, in a show of solidarity in the face of an attempt by US President Donald Trump to broker an end to the war with a rapprochement with Russia.
Rival UN resolutions
The US has submitted a draft United Nations resolution on the anniversary to rival a text drafted by Ukraine and its European allies, which makes no mention of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and simply calls for a “swift end” to the conflict.
The text reiterates that the UN’s main purpose is to maintain international peace and security and peacefully settle disputes.
The 193-member UN General Assembly has repeatedly backed Ukraine's sovereignty within its internationally-recognised borders since the war began.
The 15-member Security Council is set to vote on the same US text later on Monday, and it needs at least nine votes in favour to pass, and no vetoes by the US, Russia, China, Britain or France to be adopted.
General Assembly resolutions are not binding but carry political weight, reflecting a global view on the war. No country holds a veto in the assembly.
(with newswires)
