On 15 July 2026, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, travelled to Kyiv, Ukraine, to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, and other leaders to take part in the ceremony marking the Day of Ukrainian Statehood and the Day of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus-Ukraine. The event marked Ukraine's history and statehood and commemorated those who have lost their lives during Russia's war of aggression against the country. During the ceremony, Ursula von der Leyen delivered a speech reaffirming the European Union’s unwavering support to Ukraine and for the values of democracy, freedom and peace. She also underlined the importance of the Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit in advancing efforts towards a just and lasting peace through cooperation between nations. In addition to this, she signed the EU-Ukraine Defence Industrial Partnership, to deepen collaboration on drone and counter-drone technologies. Ursula von der Leyen and the other leaders also visited the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, which had been damaged by Russian missiles. This video shows the bilateral meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy.