BRUSSELS — In a significant show of solidarity, world leaders are set to convene in Kyiv on Monday, coinciding with the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This gathering comes in the wake of Donald Trump’s administration taking a critical stance on Ukraine, as he continues to foster a closer relationship with Kremlin officials, including a recent meeting in Saudi Arabia.
Key European leaders unite to support Ukraine
Among the notable attendees will be Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, European Council President António Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who confirmed their participation via social media platform X. Additionally, leaders from Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, and Canada are expected to join the discussions either in person or virtually, emphasizing a unified front in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and security. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola will also be involved, although her attendance format remains uncertain due to prior commitments.
The urgency of this meeting is underscored by recent statements from Trump, who controversially attributed the onset of the conflict to Ukraine’s actions, prompting a defensive reaction from various European leaders as well as Ukrainian officials. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed optimism at a recent press conference, stating that he anticipates several heads of state and EU leaders to arrive in Kyiv on February 24, further solidifying international support for Ukraine.
Strategic discussions on security amid geopolitical challenges
This high-profile meeting also aligns with the EU’s College of Commissioners’ visit to Ukraine, where they plan to discuss security imperatives for the bloc, particularly following the exclusion of key European leaders from Trump’s recent discussions with Russia. In response to Trump’s disparaging remarks about Zelenskyy, which included labeling him as incompetent and claiming he misled the U.S. into providing significant military aid, European leaders have rallied to defend Ukraine’s leadership.
“Several heads of state and EU leaders are expected in Kyiv on February 24,” Zelenskyy confirmed.
While many countries have not disclosed whether their leaders will attend, the Czech Republic has publicly stated it won’t send a representative. French President Emmanuel Macron plans to travel to Washington next week, following an emergency “informal” meeting in Paris with other global leaders to discuss European security in light of Trump’s proposals to end the Ukraine conflict.
Discussions are ongoing regarding the participation of additional high-profile attendees, coordinated by the Yalta European Strategy (YES) organization, which advocates for Ukraine’s accession to the EU. This collaboration highlights the European commitment to addressing security concerns amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.