The EU prepares in case Zelenksyy attends the summit in Brussels

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, talks with EU Council President Charles Michel during a summit in kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 3, 2023. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union legislature was making plans Monday to host Volodymyr Zelenskyy, should the Ukrainian president decide to travel to Brussels for an EU summit this week.

Two sources in parliament, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, said such plans are solely aimed at preparing the legislature to host Zelenskyy if security conditions allow him to attend Thursday’s meeting.

“When he comes, we will be ready,” said one of the sources, who stressed that due to security issues, any decision can only be made at the last minute.

EU leaders from the 27-nation bloc will meet for Thursday’s summit in Brussels, allowing Zelenskyy to meet all the bloc’s top figures in one day. The Ukrainian leader has participated in EU summits solely through video calls from Ukraine.

Zelenskyy has long had an open invitation to come to Brussels, if he wishes.

It is unknown whether Zelenskyy will be able to travel as Russian forces keep Ukrainian troops engaged in attacks in the eastern Donbas region amid concerns that Russia will launch a new offensive.

European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited kyiv last Friday and told Zelenskyy that he had the bloc’s unconditional support in Ukraine’s fight against Russia.

The only trip outside of Ukraine that Zelenskyy has made was a visit to Washington in December to request more aid for the war and to thank him for its financial and military backing for his country.

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