Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Union (EU) Commission, went to the city of Bucha, where many civilian bodies were found last week, during her symbolic visit to Ukraine. Arriving in Buça after a train journey of more than ten hours with the EU High Representative for Foreign Relations and Security Policy Josep Borrell and Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger, von der Leyen blamed Russia for the massacre and said, “Putin’s army’s cruel face, the callousness of his army while occupying the city. “We saw his cold heartedness. We saw how our humanity was shattered here in Buça. The whole world mourns together with Buça,” he said.
After the withdrawal of Russian soldiers from Bucha, near the capital Kyiv, the bodies of many civilians were found last week. While the Ukrainian government and Western countries blamed Russia for the massacre, Moscow denied the accusations and argued that the images and photographs were fake, and that they were faced with a propaganda staged by Ukraine. .
“WE ARE READY TO HELP RECONSTRUCTION”
Stating that his visit was “a clear sign of support for the brave Ukrainians”, the President of the EU Commission noted that they stand by the Ukrainians and will give all possible support. Von der Leyen stated that Ukrainians are fighting for common values and democracy to win against autocracy, and said that the country needs urgent help.
The President of the European Commission, who also gave signs for the post-war period, emphasized that Ukraine should come out of the war as a democratic country and that they are ready to help in this process together with other donors for the country’s reconstruction and reforms.
EU REPRESENTATIVE AGAIN OPENING
High Representative of the EU for Foreign Relations and Security Policy Josepp Borrell pointed out that EU Ambassador Matti Maasikos came to Kiev with them and stated that the EU Representation, which was closed with the outbreak of the war and whose staff was completely evacuated, will resume its activities in Kiev with a small team.
“Our trip and the return of the Ambassador are indications that Ukraine exists, that it has a capital and a government,” Borrell said. Stating that the country is still under Ukrainian control, Borrell announced that they will allocate 7.5 million euros for the investigation of war crimes in Bucha and other regions.