Ukraine was praised as “Europe’s protector" as European leaders gathered in Kyiv on Monday
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed European leaders to Kyiv on Monday on the occasion of his country’s 35th Independence Day, which falls after a brutal summer of attacks by Russia.
Attacks have intensified in recent weeks, costing hundreds of civilian lives as Ukraine’s air defence systems have been exhausted by barrages of ballistic missiles and drone incursions. Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for allies to allow Ukraine to make use of their Patriot interceptors – the most effective defence against missiles. But the systems are in short supply worldwide, with demand far outstripping the rate of manufacture.
Monday’s gathering included UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham – co-chaired a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Kyiv – and António Costa, the European Council President. In strong statements of solidarity, Ukraine was praised as “Europe’s protector”. The European Commission announced €6.1 billion in defence procurement for Ukraine, part of the €90 billion loan program for Ukraine approved last April.
Costa described Ukraine’s accession to the EU as “the best guarantee of security and long-term democratic stability”. Talks on this front have progressed over the summer, though there is no clear timeline and the process is widely expected to take years, if not decades.
