European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has arrived in Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, focusing on strengthening defense cooperation between the European Union and Ukraine, particularly in the field of drone production.
Wednesday’s visit marks the second time this year that the European Commission president has traveled to the Ukrainian capital.
Her previous visit, at the end of February, took place against a much darker backdrop. Ukraine was enduring a difficult winter marked by widespread power outages caused by relentless Russian attacks.
At the time, Hungary had unexpectedly blocked a €90 billion support loan, while Kyiv’s EU accession process had come to a standstill with no immediate solution in sight.
This second visit comes amid a significantly different situation.
Ukraine has gained momentum on the battlefield by launching long-range strikes against distant Russian oil refineries, causing fuel shortages that are placing additional pressure on Moscow’s wartime economy.
The €90 billion loan is now operational, and Ukraine’s EU accession process is moving forward. On Tuesday, Kyiv opened another negotiating cluster as part of the membership talks.
“Ukraine has built strong military momentum. The tide is turning,” von der Leyen said upon arriving in Kyiv.
“The EU is fully playing its role, with our €90 billion loan. In Ukraine, I will announce new initiatives to deepen the integration of our defense industries,” she added.
The discussions are expected to focus heavily on drones, unmanned aerial vehicles that have become a defining element of modern warfare as the conflict continues.
Zelensky has for weeks announced an upcoming drone agreement between Ukraine and the European Union, with details expected to be revealed on Wednesday. One of the key elements is expected to involve storing Ukrainian drones on EU territory.
Both leaders are expected to present the agreement as mutually beneficial: Ukraine would gain access to Europe’s industrial capacity, while the EU would benefit from Ukraine’s technological expertise and battlefield experience.
During the Kyiv visit, Zelensky is also expected to award von der Leyen the newly created Order of Europe, a distinction honoring individuals who support Ukraine’s right to exist as an independent nation and advance its path toward EU membership.
