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“Europe’s destiny at stake” leaders of EU and various countries gather in Kyiv on war anniversary

The leaders of the European Council, Canada, Baltic states, Nordic countries, and Spain arrived in Kyiv on the morning of 24 February, the day when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
byVira Kravchuk
24/02/2025
2 minute read
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa arrived to Kyiv on 24 February 2025, marking the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa arrived to Kyiv on 24 February 2025, marking the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Source: António Costa on X
“Europe’s destiny at stake” leaders of EU and various countries gather in Kyiv on war anniversary

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa arrived to Kyiv on 24 February 2025, marking the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The high-level summit brings together leaders from 13 countries in person, with an additional 24 joining virtually, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The summit’s agenda focuses on three key areas: technological cooperation, immediate strategic planning for the coming weeks, peace and the development of security guarantees for Ukraine.

“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,” von der Leyen wrote on X, framing Ukraine’s position as integral to European security. 

Costa reinforced this message with a succinct statement: “In Ukraine, about Ukraine, with Ukraine.”

Prior to the summit, the European Commission displayed its support by projecting the Ukrainian flag on its building, with von der Leyen describing Ukraine as “our brave neighbors, partners, and future EU members.”

Ukrainian officials, including Presidential Office Head Andriy Yermak and Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, received the delegations at Kyiv’s railway station.

The in-person attendees also include President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, Prime Minister of Estonia Kristen Michal, Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez, and Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, according to Suspilne.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda in Kyiv on 24 February 2025. Photo: Suspilne/Nikita Halka
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal in Kyiv on 24 February 2025. Photo: Suspilne/Nikita Halka
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Kyiv on 24 February 2025. Photo: Suspilne/Nikita Halka

Among other Kyiv’s guests on 24 February are President of Finland Alexander Stubb, Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, the leader of Iceland, Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre, and Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson, Suspilne reports.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Kyiv on 24 February 2025. Photo: Suspilne/Nikita Halka
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Kyiv on 24 February 2025. Photo: Suspilne/Nikita Halka
Prime Minister of Iceland Kristrun Frostadóttir in Kyiv on 24 February 2025. Photo: Suspilne/Nikita Halka
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Kyiv on 24 February 2025. Photo: Suspilne/Nikita Halka
President of Finland Alexander Stubb in Kyiv on 24 February 2025. Photo: Suspilne/Nikita Halka

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