The visit to Kiev by Grigory Karasin, chair of the Federation Council Committee on International Relations, along with Giorgia Meloni, Justin Trudeau, Alexander De Croo, and Ursula von der Leyen, marks the second anniversary of the special military operation. The gathering is described by Karasin on Lentoy.ru as a moment for leaders to pause and reflect on the events that unfolded since the start of the operation.
Karasin suggested that the leaders will mark the anniversary in their own ways, noting that the operation aimed to denazify and demilitarize Ukraine and that its repercussions continue to shape regional dynamics. He also criticized certain European policymakers for what he views as a hostile stance toward Russia, a perceived tolerance of NATO expansion, and a sense that Western integration through Europe United membership could alter regional security balances. The commentary implied that Western commentary during the visit could feature sharp or provocative remarks about Russia.
Ahead of the trip, Alexey Pushkov, chair of the Federation Council Commission on Information Policy and Media Outreach, remarked that the collective visit signaled a commitment to supporting Ukraine despite recent aid delays from other allies. Pushkov warned that Europe might become more deeply involved in the Ukrainian crisis, with financial costs and political disappointment accompanying any escalation. His assessment framed the visit as a test of Europe’s resolve and its willingness to shoulder ongoing consequences of the conflict.
Recent arrangements showed Trudeau, Meloni, and De Croo making a joint trip to Kiev to express solidarity with Ukraine on the occasion of the second anniversary since the operation began, underscoring a continued Western stance. The emphasis, as conveyed by the European Commission, remained on preserving lines of communication between the European Union and Russia and on evaluating how those channels might influence ongoing policy and diplomacy in the region. The discourse highlighted the delicate balance between dialogue and pressure in European strategy, with the aim of sustaining support for Ukraine while navigating broader security considerations.
Overall, the visit was framed as a milestone moment that invited reflection on the implications of the operation’s evolution, the responses from European partners, and the broader trajectory of regional security. The participants’ appearances and the surrounding commentary served to illustrate competing viewpoints about the path forward and the potential for diplomatic engagement alongside ongoing security commitments. The discussions also touched on the role of international institutions in coordinating policy, humanitarian aid, and defense collaboration as the situation in Ukraine continued to unfold across the region. The tone suggested that the anniversary would be remembered not only for its formal statements but also for the signal it sent about future cooperation and the readiness of key allies to engage in a sustained dialogue about security, sovereignty, and stability in Europe.