Ukraine has praised the courage of three European leaders who made a long, hazardous journey by rail from Poland to Kyiv in a show of support as the city came under further Russian attack.
The prime ministers of Poland, Slovenia and the Czech Republic met Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday evening as a curfew began in Kyiv.
Afterwards, the Czech leader told Ukrainians that they were “not alone”.
They are the first Western leaders to visit Ukraine since Russia invaded.
“We admire your brave fight,” Petr Fiala wrote in a tweet. “We know that you’re also fighting for our lives. You’re not alone, our countries stand by your side.”
“Your visit is a powerful expression of support for Ukraine,” Mr Zelensky is quoted as telling the group.
On Wednesday, Poland’s Mateusz Morawiecki tweeted that Ukraine was reminding Europe what courage was. It was time for “sluggish and decayed” Europe to reawaken and “break through her wall of indifference and give Ukraine hope”, he said.
The leaders had arrived back in Poland on Wednesday morning, a Polish government spokesperson said.
Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal wrote on Twitter that “devastating” sanctions against Russia had been discussed during the meeting in Kyiv, including the “recognition of Russia as a sponsor of terrorism”.
Ukraine’s president has repeatedly called on Nato to impose a no-fly zone over his country’s airspace, but Nato has refused.
Mr Zelensky said Ukrainians now understood they could not join Nato: “We have heard for years that the doors were open, but we also heard that we could not join. It’s a truth and it must be recognised. I am glad that our people are beginning to understand this and rely on themselves and our partners who help us.”