EU Chief Meets Zelensky in Kyiv After Visit to Mass Grave in Bucha
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in Kyiv on Friday, April 8.
Greeting each other outside the presidential offices, Von der Leyen told Zelensky: “It’s wonderful to see you again. It’s been half a year now.”
“Half a year? Maybe! I don’t remember,” Zelensky replied.
As they entered the building, Von der Leyen and Zelensky remarked to each other about Von der Leyen’s visit to Bucha, west of Kyiv, where more than 300 civilians were reported to have been killed by Russian forces.
In the hours before arriving in the capital, Von der Leyen and Borrell visited a mass grave in the town alongside the prime minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, and the prime minister of Slovakia, Eduard Heger.
Speaking to press in Bucha, Von der Leyen said, “The unthinkable has happened here. We have seen the cruel face of Putin’s army. We have seen the recklessness and the coldheartedness with which they have been occupying the city.”
Slovakia’s Heger, who traveled to Ukraine by train along with Von der Leyen and Borrell, confirmed that day that Slovakia had provided Ukraine with an S-300 air-defense system.
Talks between the Ukrainian and EU officials would take place behind closed doors, the Office of the President of Ukraine said in a statement. Credit: Office of the President via Storyful
Video Transcript
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY: Madame President.
URSULA VON DER LEYEN: Wonderful.
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY: You're welcome.
URSULA VON DER LEYEN: Wonderful to see you.
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY: The same, Madame.
URSULA VON DER LEYEN: Very nice.
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY: How are you?
URSULA VON DER LEYEN: Thank you very much.
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY: Thank you so much. Thank you.
URSULA VON DER LEYEN: Wonderful to see you again. It's been half a year now.
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY: Maybe. I don't remember. Nice to meet you.
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY: How are you?
- Very well.
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY: You're very welcome.
- I'll check up with you.
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for coming. Happy to meet you. You want to see--
URSULA VON DER LEYEN: Bucha.
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY: Bucha, yes.
- Can we have [INAUDIBLE]?
- Foreign policy advisor to the president. Foreign policy advisor to the president, minister of finance, and deputy prime minister.
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY: [INAUDIBLE] and the worry. [INAUDIBLE]
URSULA VON DER LEYEN: [INAUDIBLE]
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY: [INAUDIBLE]
