The head of the European Council made an unexpected visit to the Ukrainian capital as allies pledged to send more weapons in response to Russia’s new offensive in the east of the country.
Charles Michel tweeted a photo of himself and a group of people at a train station on Wednesday, saying that he had arrived to Kyiv “the heart of a free and democratic Europe”.
Earlier this month, the European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen visited the capital to show support for the nation, with Boris Johnson making the same trip a few days later.
In Kyiv today.
In the heart of a free and democratic Europe. @ZelenskyyUa pic.twitter.com/7DxTeoxtMc
The Prime Minister joined leaders in the US and Canada in pledging to send more weapons to Ukraine, as Russian forces poured more troops in the eastern Donbas region – the focus of its renewed offensive.
US President Joe Biden is expected to announce another military aid package for Ukraine in the coming days while Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country would be sending heavy artillery.
In Europe, Norway’s defence minister said on Wednesday that it will donate 100 mistral air defence missiles to Ukraine.
Bjorn Arild Gram, the Norwegian defence minister, said the short-range missiles are “an effective weapon that has been used in the navy, and which will be of great benefit to Ukraine”.
Norway’s armed forces had previously planned on phasing out the missiles, the ministry said, adding that the donation will not affect its military supply.
Finland is expected to begin discussions on Wednesday on the country joining Nato, Helsingin Sanomat reported.
While half of MPs have reportedly expressed support for Nato membership, it is unclear whether a two-thirds majority in parliament would be required to initiate the process of joining the alliance.
Finland’s accession must be ratified by all 30 Nato member states, a process which could take up to a year.
Sweden has also indicated its interest in joining Nato, with a recent poll showing a growing majority of Swedes are in favour of the idea.
The poll on Wednesday by Demoskop and commissioned by the Aftonbladet newspaper showed 57 per cent of Swedes supported Nato membership, an increase from 51 per cent last month.
The invasion of Ukraine has forced both Sweden and Finland to consider a radical shift in security policy which could end decades of military neutrality.
Western nations are expected to stage a walk-out on Wednesday when the G20 finance minister meet in Washington, officials told Reuters.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is set to dominate the meeting when finance officials from the world’s richest countries will gather to address global challenges such as rising debt.
Moscow confirmed on Tuesday that finance minister Anton Siluanov would lead Russia’s delegation at the talks despite repeated objections by Western diplomats.
“During and after the meeting we will be certain to send a strong message and we will not be alone in doing so,” a German government source said, while a French official added that some ministers from G7 nations are expected to leave their seats when their Russian counterpart is due to speak.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak will not attend all G20 meetings, a government source said, following similar statements by US officials that treasury secretary Janet Yellen would skip some meetings of finance ministers if Russian officials were present.
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