EU Leaders Visit Kyiv, Zelenskyy Pushes for 2027 EU Entry Amidst War

Kyiv, Ukraine – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, alongside other European leaders, visited Kyiv on February 24, 2026, to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. The delegation, including European Council President Antonio Costa, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska.

Zelenskyy’s EU Ambitions

During the visit, President Zelenskyy reiterated his desire for Ukraine to begin accession talks with the European Union and proposed a target date of 2027 for full membership, contingent upon a future peace agreement with Russia. This ambition was supported by European Commission President von der Leyen, who has previously advocated for a “reverse membership” approach according to Polskie Radio.

Financial Aid and Concerns

The visit comes as Ukraine faces a significant financial deficit. Zelenskyy warned in December 2025 that Ukraine is facing a 45-50 billion euro deficit for the following year as reported by the BBC. Von der Leyen affirmed the EU’s commitment to finding a solution to this financial challenge, stating, “we will not leave the summit without a solution.”

Recent EU-Ukraine Interactions

This visit follows previous engagements between Zelenskyy and von der Leyen. Von der Leyen received Zelenskyy in Brussels on August 17, 2025 as shown in a YouTube video. Zelenskyy also spoke with von der Leyen on November 26, 2025, discussing ongoing support for Ukraine according to a post on Zelenskyy’s X account.

Russia’s Response and EU Debate

Russia has cautioned EU leaders against utilizing its frozen assets to fund Ukraine. However, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has urged EU members to address the situation. The EU is currently considering a multi-billion euro loan utilizing frozen Russian assets held by Euroclear, a Belgium-based organization. Some member states, including Belgium, initially expressed reservations about using these funds as a “reparations loan.”

Key Takeaways

• EU leaders visited Kyiv to mark the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion.
• President Zelenskyy is seeking a 2027 timeline for Ukraine’s EU membership.
• Ukraine faces a substantial financial deficit requiring EU support.
• The EU is debating the use of frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine.