The Prime Ministers of Poland, Slovenia and the Czech Republic travel to kyiv to see Zelensky

Von der Leyen and Michel were warned but the trip is not on behalf of the EU

MADRID/BRUSSELS, 15 (Royals Blue)

The prime ministers of Poland, Slovenia and the Czech Republic have undertaken a trip to kyiv on Tuesday to meet in person with the president of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenski, in a clear gesture of support that they say they are carrying out on behalf of the European Union as a whole. .

The Czech Petr Fiala has explained on Twitter that they travel “as representatives” of the Twenty-seven and after having consulted the presidents of the Council and the European Commission, Charles Michel and Ursula Von der Leyen, respectively.

Although it has not transpired until now, the trip to kyiv was already an option on the table at the end of last week, when the Polish Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, took advantage of the informal summit of EU leaders in Versailles (France) to inform to Von der Leyen and Michel.

“We confirm that the Prime Minister of Poland informed Presidents Von der Leyen and Michel on the margins of the summit of a possible visit to kyiv. The trip was confirmed last night,” the spokespersons for the community institutions have indicated.

In this way, from the Von der Leyen and Michel teams they emphasize that the European Union supports Ukraine and “works to provide political, financial, material and humanitarian support in a coordinated manner.”

However, and despite having been informed before the visit was made public, European sources have warned Europa Press that the leaders of Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic are not in kyiv on behalf of the EU but on their own behalf. .

“UNEQUIVOCAL SUPPORT”

The Polish, Czech and Slovenian leaders want to convey to Zelensky the bloc’s “unequivocal support” in the midst of a Russian military offensive. This backing will also translate into “a broad support package,” according to statements from the various governments, which have also confirmed previous contacts with the United Nations.

“Europe must guarantee the independence of Ukraine and make sure that it is ready to help in the reconstruction,” emphasized the Polish Mateusz Morawiecki, who has also confirmed that they plan to meet with the Ukrainian Prime Minister, Denys Shmyhal.

Hardly any details of the trip have emerged, but Morawiecki’s chief of staff, Michal Dworczyk, has confirmed that early in the morning a train carrying the three leaders crossed the border between Poland and Ukraine. Also traveling on the Polish side is the chairman of the Defense and National Security Committee, Jaroslaw Kaczynski.