European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv on Friday to offer support to Ukraine as it prepares for the upcoming winter.

This visit marks her eighth trip to the Ukrainian capital, coinciding with Russia’s continued bombardment of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), von der Leyen emphasized Europe’s commitment to assist Ukraine during this challenging time, stating, “We will help Ukraine in its brave efforts.” Her discussions focus on various forms of support, including winter preparedness, defense initiatives, and progress in securing G7 loans.

The backdrop to her visit is Russia’s prolonged invasion of Ukraine, which has now entered its 30th month, with Ukraine recently regaining control over parts of Russia’s Kursk region.

In response to the conflict, Ukraine has pressed its allies to permit the use of donated weapons to target military sites deep within Russia. While the United States and Britain are considering this request, EU nations remain divided.

On Thursday, the European Parliament passed a resolution urging EU member states to allow Kyiv to strike military targets inside Russia.

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Washington permits Ukraine to only engage targets in occupied territories and certain border regions related to military operations.

As the winter approaches, von der Leyen’s visit underscores the EU’s ongoing commitment to supporting Ukraine amid a complex and evolving conflict.