Von der Leyen assures Ukraine of long-term EU support

Shortly before her trip to Kyiv, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen once again assured Ukraine of long-term support from the European Union.

That's according to Spiegel, Ukrinform reports.

"We are on the side of Ukraine - without any 'ifs' and 'buts'," she said.

Speaking at an event of the German CDU party in Dusseldorf, she said that Ukraine would have EU support "as long as the country needs it."

"Ukraine is fighting for our common values, for the principles of democracy. And that is why Ukraine has to win this war," von der Leyen said.

EU commissioners and von der Leyen are due to arrive in Kyiv next week for negotiations on how to speed up Ukraine's path to the EU.