EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell visited Kyiv on Saturday to reaffirm Europe’s steadfast support for Ukraine, following the uncertainty brought about by Donald Trump’s recent election victory regarding the ongoing conflict.

Borrell, marking the first visit by a senior EU official to Ukraine since the election, emphasized the EU’s commitment to Ukraine as the war with Russia approaches its 1,000th day.

He highlighted that the European Union has already allocated 122 billion euros (approximately $131 billion) in military and financial assistance to Ukraine and has trained around 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers, with plans to increase that number to 75,000 by the end of winter.

“This support is unwavering and essential for your defense against Russia’s aggression,” Borrell stated during a joint press conference with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister in Kyiv.

He also called for expedited deliveries of aid and fewer self-imposed restrictions, reiterating his backing for Ukraine’s request to conduct long-range strikes on military targets within Russia.

Support from Western allies has been crucial for Ukraine in its defense against Russia, which possesses a significantly larger and better-equipped military.

While the United States remains a vital ally, Trump has expressed concerns regarding the extent of its military and financial assistance to Kyiv, promising to expedite an end to the conflict without providing specifics.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was among the first to extend his congratulations to Trump, indicating that discussions with the U.S. president-elect should persist.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expressed Kyiv’s hope for ongoing U.S. leadership in the pursuit of a “just peace,” noting that preparations for a potential meeting between the two leaders would commence, though he did not disclose further information.

Borrell, who is set to depart from his position next month, announced that EU defense ministers would convene next week to deliberate on sustained support for Ukraine, both militarily and diplomatically, and would advocate for “enhancing support at this critical juncture.”

Ukrainian forces are facing challenges on the frontline as Russian troops continue to make progress in the eastern Donetsk area. At present, Russian forces control approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.