Czech, Polish, Slovenian premiers visit Ukraine amid ongoing war with Russia

By Gozde Bayar

ANKARA (AA) - The Czech, Polish, and Slovenian prime ministers arrived in Ukraine's capital Kyiv on Tuesday in a show of support for the country as it fights a war with Russia, according to their Ukrainian counterpart.

Petr Fiala of the Czech Republic, Mateusz Morawiecki of Poland, and Janez Jansa of Slovenia came to Kyiv on behalf of EU Council, Ukrainian premier Denys Shmyhal said on Twitter amid continued Russian bombardment of the capital.

Applauding the three countries as "true friends" of Ukraine for their "courage," Shmyhal said they were discussing support for Ukraine and "strengthening sanctions against the Russian aggression."

Earlier in the day, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis also visited Kyiv for a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba, marking the first time a foreign top diplomat came to the war-weary country since the war broke out.

"Lithuania's support is ironclad -- bilaterally and within the EU & NATO. We work on speeding up Ukraine's accession to the EU. Russia must be brought to justice for its crimes," Kuleba wrote on Twitter.

Landsbergis said they exchanged views on "ongoing deputinization."

"More needs to be done. Ukrainian request to join EU has to be taken seriously. As should be assistance to Ukraine. Ukraine is fighting all in, our help has to be all in," Landsbergis said on Twitter.

The Russia-Ukraine war, which began Feb. 24, has drawn international condemnation, led to financial sanctions on Moscow and spurred an exodus of global firms from Russia.

At least 636 civilians have been killed and 1,125 injured in Ukraine since the beginning of the war.

More than 3 million refugees have fled to neighboring countries, according to UN estimates.