Brussels, 24 February 2024 (MIA) – For as long as it takes, Europe will continue to stand at Ukraine's side, with more financial support, more ammunition, more training for Ukrainian troops, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her address at the Antonov Airport in Hostomel on Saturday. 

"You saved your country. You saved all of Europe. And today, we are here from across Europe and the world to pay tribute to your bravery. It is you who gave a chance to Ukraine's resistance. And look at all that Ukraine has achieved ever since. On land, you have driven Russia out of half the territories it had captured. At sea, you have pushed back Russia's fleet and reopened a maritime corridor to the world. And in the air, your defense has become incredibly effective. In the last week only you shot down seven of Russia's fighter jets. All of this seemed impossible on the night when the war began," said von der Leyen, who arrived in Ukraine on Saturday along with three prime ministers: Alexander De Croo of Belgium, Giorgia Meloni of Italy and Justin Trudeau of Canada.  

Von der Leyen said she was confident that Ukraine will keep surprising the world, reports Belga News Agency Kiev correspondent for the European Newsroom (enr), which also includes the Media Information Agency (MIA). 

"For as long as it takes, Europe will continue to stand at your side, with more financial support, more ammunition, more training for your troops, more air defenses, and more investments in Europe's and Ukraine's defense industries," said von der Leyen in her address at the Antonov Airport, also attended by Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky. 

Mentioning the largest airplane in the world: Mriya – the dream, which was destroyed by the Russians two years ago, von der Leyen pointed out that the world’s biggest plane may have been destroyed, but the dream couldn’t be destroyed.  

"The dream of a free and prosperous Ukraine, that takes its place at the heart of the European family, lives on. And together, we will turn it into reality. There will be a free and sovereign Ukraine. There will be peace and prosperity. And there will be Europe. And the battle of Hostomel Airport will no longer be remembered as the darkest hour in our history, but as the beginning of a new era for Ukraine and for all of Europe," said the European Commission President. 

Earlier on Friday, von der Leyen attended a ceremony to hand over 50 new vehicles funded by the EU to the Ukrainian police. 

"Glad to hand over 50 new vehicles funded by the EU to the Ukrainian police. They will help them in their daily work. To bring security and stability in the territories liberated by the brave Ukrainian Armed Forces, and support the population.  This is EU solidarity in action," von der Leyen posted on X after the ceremony.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv on Saturday morning to mark the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

Von der Leyen said she was also there to celebrate the extraordinary resistance of the Ukrainian people.

During the visit, von der Leyen alongside the three PMs will hold meetings with Ukraine's President Zelensky and PM Denys Shmyhal, and also pay respects at the Wall of Remembrance.   

Russian forces invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the biggest military offensive in Europe since World War II, estimated to have caused tens of thousands of civilian casualties and hundreds of thousands of military casualties, roughly 3.6 million internally displaced persons and 6.3 million Ukrainian refugees worldwide. 

Photo: enr - Belga / X