Von der Leenen: Ukraine belongs to the EU, they're from us and we love them

Ukraine belongs to the European Union, and the bloc would like to view it as part of it, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told Euronews television.

In fact, over time, they belong to us. They are one of us and we love them”, said von der Leyen.

Comments follow a historic vote by 27 EU nations on Ukraine's weapons supply.

Ukraine has been under full occupation of Russian forces since 24 February.

The Russian state opposes its integration into the European Union and NATO.

Ukraine in NATO would be “existential threat” for Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.

When giving the order for the invasion, Putin said he authorized “a special military operation” to “chmilitarized” Ukraine.

Similarly, he has declared two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine independent.

In 2014, Russia also annexed the Ukrainian Crime Peninsula and promoted the separatist movement in eastern Ukraine.