New EU Leadership Visits Kyiv on Their First Day in Office

On December 1, the newly appointed President of the European Council, António Costa, arrived in Kyiv alongside EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos.

This marks their first official visit following the inauguration of the new European Commission on the same day.

The visit was unannounced and emphasized the EU’s continued support for Ukraine amid ongoing war.

António Costa, who assumed his position after former Council President Charles Michel formally stepped down on November 29, reaffirmed the EU’s stance during the visit. “From the first day of the war, the European Union has stood with Ukraine. With the beginning of our mandate, we reaffirm our unwavering support for the Ukrainian people,” Costa stated on social media platform X.

Kaja Kallas, in her capacity as the EU’s chief diplomat, underscored the Union’s determination to support Ukraine. “During my first visit in this role, my message is clear: the European Union wants Ukraine to prevail in this war. We will do everything necessary to achieve that goal,” she stated.

The visit coincides with the transition to a newly appointed European Commission, approved by the European Parliament on November 27 and led by Ursula von der Leyen.