Prime Ministers from Poland, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic Make Dramatic Journey to Kyiv

KYIV, UKRAINE - MARCH 15: Ukrainian servicemen are seen by the building which got shelled near Lukyanivska metro station on March 14, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Russian forces continue to attempt to encircle the Ukrainian capital, although they have faced stiff resistance and logistical challenges since launching a large-scale invasion of Ukraine last month. Russian troops are advancing from the northwest and northeast of the city. (Photo by Anastasia Vlasova/Getty Images)

The prime ministers of three Eastern European countries – Poland, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic – are traveling to war-torn Kyiv by train on Tuesday to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Their dramatic visit was kept secret until the last moment and comes at a time when Russian forces are shelling Ukraine’s capital.

Breaking News: The leaders of Poland, Slovenia and the Czech Republic said they would meet in Kyiv to express the EU’s “unequivocal support” for Ukraine and offer financial help.https://t.co/QzbSJ9fqvX
— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 15, 2022

The New York Times reports:

The aim of the visit is to express the European Union’s “unequivocal support for sovereignty and independence of Ukraine” and present a broad package of support, said Michal Dworczyk, the head of the Polish prime minister’s office. He declined to provide further details.
“This delegation is de facto representing the European Union,” said Mr. Dworczyk. He added that preparations for the trip had been coordinated with the bloc’s top officials and that the decision to arrange the visit had been made last week at a meeting of all European leaders in Versailles, France.

The three leaders – Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki of Poland, Prime Minister Petr Fiala of the Czech Republic, and Prime Minister Janez Jansa of Slovenia – will present “a broad package of support” from the European Union.

Poland, in particular, has played an outsized role in managing the massive outflow of refugees from Ukraine. The U.N. estimates that 1.7 million Ukrainians have crossed into Poland since the outset of the Russian invasion. Many continue further west, but some stay, relying on the kindness of volunteers.

This hero dressed-up in a dinosaur costume and handing out candy to young refugees in Poland is the Twitter content I’m here for… https://t.co/ol8Ri58Oa1
— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) March 12, 2022

Poland has also been Ukraine’s biggest advocate within NATO, calling for increased military assistance.

The Guardian adds:

The EU member states formally agreed on a fourth sanctions package on Tuesday morning, including an asset freeze and travel ban on the Chelsea football club owner, Roman Abramovich.
He is described in the EU’s legal text as “a Russian oligarch who has long and close ties to Vladimir Putin”.
“He has had privileged access to the president, and has maintained very good relations with him,” the text adds. “This connection with the Russian leader helped him to maintain his considerable wealth.