European Parliament President Roberta Metsola in Ukraine: EU support remains unwavering

As part of her visit, she inaugurated the new European Parliament Liaison Office in Kyiv and addressed the Ukrainian Parliament. This marked her fourth visit to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s illegal invasion.

During her meeting with President Zelenskyy, discussions focused on Ukraine’s progress in EU accession negotiations, the European Parliament’s continued and steadfast support, the need for more targeted sanctions against Russia, and the use of profits from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s defence, recovery and reconstruction. After their meeting, the two Presidents made joint statements to the press. President Metsola stressed: “Europe will not back down in its support to Ukraine. We will continue to weaken Russia’s war machine with strong and coordinated sanctions. We will strengthen our humanitarian, military and diplomatic support for Ukraine, deepen our cooperation with international partners and invest in Ukraine’s own production. We are determined to completely move away from Russian oil and gas and turn to reliable and secure partners, while also tackling Russia’s shadow fleet. This is how we will move closer to peace.”

Earlier that morning, the European Parliament President met with Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, before addressing the plenary session. Referring to parliamentary cooperation, President Metsola underlined: “We discussed strengthening the ties between our two Parliaments. Our cooperation is based on trust, respect and very practical steps. We will continue to build bridges between Ukraine and Europe, and the new European Parliament office stands as a tangible example of this commitment.”

In her address to the Rada, President Metsola noted that the European Union has already mobilised €169 billion, including €63 billion in military support. She highlighted progress on the use of frozen Russian assets, increased investment in Ukraine’s defence industry, and new joint initiatives such as the Drone Alliance. On peace, she stressed that it must be permanent, just and rooted in dignity. On security and Ukraine’s European path, she underlined that EU membership itself represents a security guarantee and that Europe must match the progress already achieved by Ukraine.

During her visit to Kyiv, President Metsola also met with Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska. Together, they visited the Bilhorod Academic Lyceum, which had been struck by Russian missile attacks that claimed the lives of three staff members. The school is currently being rebuilt with EU funding. She also visited the EU Delegation to Ukraine, which now hosts the new EP Liaison Office, as well as a building damaged by another Russian air strike, and met with EU staff working there.

Since 24 February 2022, when Russia launched its illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Union and the European Parliament have consistently stood by the Ukrainian people: condemning the aggression, imposing sanctions on those responsible, and providing substantial financial, humanitarian and military assistance. The Parliament has been at the forefront in supporting Ukraine’s candidate status and continues to urge Member States to open accession negotiations without delay.

In July 2024, the newly elected European Parliament reaffirmed that the European Union must support Ukraine for as long as it takes, until victory. In its resolution, MEPs reiterated their unwavering support for the country’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. They also called for maintaining and expanding sanctions against Russia and Belarus, closely monitoring their effectiveness and economic impact, and strengthening measures to prevent circumvention by EU-based companies, third parties and third countries.

President Metsola’s visit to Ukraine once again underlines the European Parliament’s conviction that Ukraine’s struggle is also Europe’s struggle – and that Europe will remain by Ukraine’s side on its path towards freedom, justice and EU membership.