Brussels Playbook Podcast Who showed up — and who didn't — for Kyiv's big day
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Feb 25, 2026 A reporter describes Kyiv’s four-year anniversary events, noting which Western leaders were present and which were missing. The mood in the city mixes disappointment with steady resilience. Conversations cover EU friction over Hungary and Slovakia blocking aid, legal routes to unlock a €90bn loan, and calls for a symbolic 2027 EU accession prospect.
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Visible EU Solidarity But Key Western Leaders Missing
- Kyiv's anniversary events showed European unity visually but lacked major Western leaders, which left a mood of disappointment on the ground.
- Zoya noted no American, French, or high-level German presence, prompting Ukrainians to ask loudly where key allies were.
On The Ground Tired But Defiant
- Zoya described Kyiv as grim yet determined, with citizens enduring power cuts and heating shortages after Russian strikes.
- She relayed a government official saying thousands still lack heating and many homes remain without electricity this winter.
Maidan Start And Intercontinental As Secure Hub
- Events began in Maidan Square then moved to the Intercontinental Hotel as a secure space for leaders and journalists.
- Zoya explained the hotel functions as the safe hub for high-level delegations during Kyiv visits.