Poland’s President Andrzej Duda and the Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia leaders travelled to Ukraine to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky to show their support amid Russia’s continuing bombardment of his country.

“Our goal is to support President Zelensky and the defenders of Ukraine at a crucial moment for the country,” Poland’s foreign policy spokesperson, Jakub Kumoch, said.

He called the Baltic states the most important partners on security issues in the region.

Poland organised the visit and is also providing logistics and security in Ukraine.

“On the way to Kyiv with a strong message of political support and military assistance,” Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda tweeted, along with a photograph of himself and the other leaders beside a train.

Estonian President Alar Karis and Latvian head of state Egils Levits likewise shared photos from the train platform on Twitter. 

Originally, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier had also wanted to join the visit, but the Ukrainian government indicated that it would prefer the presence of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz instead, as Kyiv calls for tougher action from Berlin.

(dpa/NAN)