How Western leaders travel to Kiev
Since the Russian invasion began, several European leaders have travelled to Ukraine to support President Volodymyr Zelensky. Over the course of the month, continental leaders and EU leaders have travelled to Kiev as the war rages in the east of the country.
Within the Brussels leadership, politicians who have visited the Ukrainian capital recently include the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola; the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen; and the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.
The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also travelled to Kiev, as have the presidents of Poland and the Baltic states: Andrzej Duda, Alar Karis, Gitanas Nauseda and Egils Levits.
However, in mid-March, as Russian troops tightened their siege on the capital, Zelensky was visited by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa. The trip was also joined by former Polish Prime Minister and current leader of the Law and Justice (PiS) party, Jarosław Kaczyński.
These visits demonstrate Europe's commitment to Ukraine and are taking place despite the dangerous war situation. However, precisely because of the current situation in the country, European leaders have taken specific measures to travel safely to Kiev.
The Polish, Czech and Slovenian leaders chose the train as a means of transport to reach Kiev, as Russia believes that the use of a Polish military plane could have been provocative. The trip was not previously announced for security reasons, although the EU, the US and NATO were aware of the visit.
Morawiecki, Fiala, Jansa and Kaczyński met with President Zelensky at a time when attacks in the capital were intensifying. Indeed, as the meeting took place during the night, the European leaders witnessed heavy explosions in the surrounding area. The Ukrainian president acknowledged the courage of his allies, noting that they were "not afraid" of Russian aggression. He thanked them for their support, calling the visit "a strong and courageous step". Warsaw admitted that the trip was risky, but stressed that it was "worth doing for the sake of values".
Then in early April, shortly after the world discovered the atrocities in Bucha, Roberta Metsola ended her trip to Ukraine with a surprise meeting with Zelensky in Kiev. The EP President was the first leader of a European institution to visit the country and, like the European leaders, she opted for the train.
Metsola's trip preceded the visit of Von der Leyen and Borrell, who travelled to Ukraine a few days later. The European representatives, together with Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger, took the train from the southern Polish town of Przemysl, just 13 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, in the direction of Kiev.
Президент України Володимир Зеленський розпочав зустріч із Президентом Європейської комісії @vonderleyen та Високим представником Європейського Союзу із закордонних справ та політики безпеки @JosepBorrellF, які прибули з візитом до нашої країни. pic.twitter.com/uYuqYuIzP6
— Офіс Президента (@APUkraine) April 8, 2022
Von der Leyen, Borrell and Heger, unlike the European leaders who previously travelled to Kyiv, did pre-announce their visit. It is worth noting that while travelling to Ukraine today carries risks, the situation in Kiev is not the same as it was several weeks ago, when Morawiecki, Fiala, Jansa and Kaczyński met with Zelensky in a Kiev besieged by Russian troops.
The withdrawal of the Russian army from the area allowed von der Leyen and Borrell to visit Bucha. There, in the town that has become a reflection of the atrocities of Russian troops, the European politicians "saw humanity in pieces", as the Commission President said.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited the Ukrainian capital hours after his European partners. The Prime Minister, however, did not announce his visit to Kiev. Johnson made use of car, helicopter, military plane and train during his secret trip to Ukraine, reports the British newspaper Daily Mail. On the other hand, Downing Street did not give many details about the trip due to "operational concerns".
The Ukrainians have the courage of a lion.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) April 9, 2022
President @ZelenskyyUa has given the roar of that lion.
The UK stands unwaveringly with the people of Ukraine.
Slava Ukraini ?? ?? pic.twitter.com/u6vGYqmK4V
Shortly before arriving in Kiev, Johnson posted a video of himself on a train bound for the capital. The circumstances of the prime minister's return are being kept "secret for security reasons", according to The Guardian.
