Kyiv (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European Parliament President Roberta Metsola visited Kyiv on September 17, 2025, to hold talks with senior Ukrainian officials, focusing on accession efforts, sanctions against Russia, and other matters.
Ukraine’s Parliament Speaker, Ruslan Stefanchuk, greeted Metsola on her arrival in the capital, marking her fourth visit since the beginning of the full-scale conflict in 2022.
“1,300 days since the start of the aggression, I am in Ukraine with (the European Parliament’s) strong message of support,”
Metsola noted on X.
What is the purpose of Metsola’s visit to Kyiv?
The visit comes as Ukraine calls for more resolute steps from Western partners in pressuring Russia to peace talks, primarily through harsher sanctions. During his visit to Kyiv, Metsola will also officially open a European Parliament office, following the damage caused to the EU’s delegation building by a recent Russian bombing.
Roberta Metsola is set to hold meetings in Ukraine on Wednesday with the country’s senior officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, and her counterpart, Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk.
On her trip, the European Parliament president is expected to outline the chamber’s demands for lasting peace, tougher sanctions on Russia, increased parliamentary cooperation, and a need to move forward with Ukraine’s EU membership application, a spokesperson has said.
What role will the new European Parliament office in Kyiv play?
Earlier this week, the European Parliament passed a non-binding resolution urging a peaceful resolution to the war and requesting that the European Commission initiate the first round of accession talks with Kyiv.
Although the Commission has already supported the launch of negotiations, the process is being held up by Hungary’s government, which is widely regarded as the most pro-Russian within the EU.
What earlier visits has Metsola made to Ukraine?
Before this visit, Metsola had visited Ukraine three times since the start of the full-scale Russian aggression in 2022. One notable earlier visit was on May 9, 2024, Europe Day, when she visited Kyiv to show European solidarity with Ukraine.
