EU chief plans 7-country tour of Russian border to promote defense buildup
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced a visit to seven member states bordering Russia and Belarus following last night's Russian attack on Kyiv, which also damaged the EU diplomatic mission.
"Tomorrow I will travel to the seven Member States that are strengthening and protecting our external borders with Russia and Belarus. I want to express the EU's full solidarity with them and share the progress we are making in building a strong European defence industry, especially through our joint defence instrument SAFE," von der Leyen said in a statement posted on the EU website.
" Last night's attack struck in close proximity of the diplomatic mission, the representation of our Union. Two missiles hit in a distance of 50 metres of the Delegation within 20 seconds. This is another grim reminder of what is at stake. It shows that the Kremlin will stop at nothing to terrorise Ukraine, blindly killing civilians – men, women and children and even targeting the European Union," she said.
She pledged to maintain maximum pressure on Russia and to introduce a 19th package of sanctions soon, as well as to advance work on frozen assets to use them for Ukraine. "And of course, we provide resolute, unwavering support to Ukraine, our neighbor, partner, friend and future member," she added.