President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen will visit Ukraine this Tuesday, a visit that aligns with Europe Day celebrations observed on May 9. This information comes from the European Commission spokesperson, Eric Mamer, who confirmed the schedule ahead of the trip.
In Kiev, the European Union leader is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The encounter is described as symbolic, intended to reaffirm the EU’s steadfast support for Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian aggression. Von der Leyen has made four trips to the Ukrainian capital since the war began, underscoring the importance of EU solidarity. The most recent visit occurred in February, just weeks before the anniversary of the invasion, when a group of EU commissioners held a meeting with Ukrainian officials as a sign of deepening ties.
The European Union is actively discussing an 11th package of sanctions. Moscow has already received the EC’s proposal, unveiled last Friday. According to the spokesperson, the new measures emphasize tightening the effectiveness of existing sanctions and closing avenues that might be exploited to bypass them, with particular attention to exports channelled toward Russia.
May 9 marks the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, the landmark document in which Robert Schuman proposed a new framework for political cooperation in Europe after World War II. This declaration is widely viewed as the birthplace of today’s European Union. The spokesperson noted that Ukraine will join in the annual commemoration from this year onward, signaling continued integration and shared purpose between Kyiv and Brussels.
This visit and the surrounding diplomatic activity occur at a moment when the EU is balancing political solidarity with strategic resilience. The dialogues expected in Kiev are likely to cover Ukraine’s reform trajectory, security support, and the practical implementation of sanctions, alongside broader questions about energy independence, economic stability, and regional security in the face of ongoing threats. The European Commission’s stance remains clear: support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while coordinating with EU member states to maintain a unified front against aggression. As the European Union extends its circle of partners and amplifies its support mechanisms, the Ukrainian leadership continues to articulate needs that align with long-term European security objectives, including reforms that strengthen governance, rule of law, and democratic resilience.
Spokespersons emphasized that the visit is part of ongoing, structured engagement between Brussels and Kyiv. Officials noted that such high-level exchanges help translate political commitments into concrete actions, whether through enhanced humanitarian assistance, defense cooperation, or coordinated sanctions enforcement. Observers view this as a signal that Europe remains deeply engaged in Ukraine’s future, even as challenges persist on multiple fronts.
Overall, the calendar around Europe Day serves as a backdrop to a broader narrative: the European Union’s readiness to stand with Ukraine while pursuing its own strategic goals. The dialogue between von der Leyen and Zelensky will likely reflect both the emotional and practical dimensions of the partnership, highlighting shared values, mutual interests, and the enduring hope for long-term peace and stability in the region.