European leaders in Kyiv pledge to back Ukraine on war anniversary

Zelensky delivers defiant speech as war continues unabated, with Russia hitting port

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen vowed that Europe would back Ukraine until it was "finally free" as she and three other Western leaders arrived in Kyiv to show solidarity on the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion.

The visit by Dr von der Leyen and the prime ministers of Italy, Canada and Belgium - Ms Giorgia Meloni, Mr Justin Trudeau and Mr Alexander De Croo - was a show of support as Ukraine suffers shortages of military supplies that are hurting it on the battlefield as Moscow grinds out territorial gains.

"More than ever, we stand firmly by Ukraine. Financially, economically, militarily, morally. Until the country is finally free," Dr von der Leyen, who arrived with the others on an overnight train from neighbouring Poland, wrote on the social media platform X.

The leaders visited Hostomel airport, site of a ferocious battle at the start of the invasion, as Russia tried to fly in paratroopers to seize the capital Kyiv a few kilometres away.

"We are here today to say thanks to these men and women who on Feb 24 two years ago did not run away and instead fought," Ms Meloni said. "This place is a symbol of Moscow's failures, a symbol of Ukrainian pride."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky embraced the Western leaders and delivered a televised speech against a backdrop of wrecked aircraft.

"Two years ago, we met enemy troopers here with fire, and two years later, we are meeting our friends, our partners, here," he said.

"Any normal person wants the war to end. But none of us will allow our Ukraine to end," he added. "The word 'independent' will always stand next to the word 'Ukraine' in future history." Outside Kyiv, the war continued unabated.

Russian drones attacked the port of Odesa for a second night running, hitting a residential building and killing one person, the regional governor said.