With 15 commissioners, Ursula von der Leyen got off the train in Kyiv on Thursday morning.

The EU Commission emphasized, not without pride, that it was the first time that the College had gone to a "war zone".

Even a "designated survivor" was chosen: Von der Leyen's first deputy, Frans Timmermans, stayed behind in Brussels.

There is a hierarchy of commissioners, explained a spokesman, to ensure “the continuity of business activities” “if there is a reason to do so”.

Thomas Gutschker

Political correspondent for the European Union, NATO and the Benelux countries based in Brussels.

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For security reasons, the commissioners drove back to Poland on Thursday evening.

Only the President and the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell did not, they stayed for the EU-Ukraine summit this Friday in the Ukrainian capital.

For von der Leyen it was the fourth visit since the Russian attack.

The Commission gave two reasons for the prior major visit.

It is about visible, symbolic support for Ukraine and closer personal contact between the commissioners and their Ukrainian partners.

Some of them only know each other from the screen, from video conferences.

For others, such as Interior Commissioner Ylva Johansson, it was about making new contacts after Ukraine's interior minister and his deputy died in a helicopter crash two weeks ago.

A third reason was given in Brussels: the constant race for attention between von der Leyen and Charles Michel.

The EU Council President had just been to Kyiv and had spoken in Parliament.

A diplomat spoke of a "beauty contest" between the two EU leaders - that was still politely formulated.

"Perseverance" and "Determination"

On Friday both will sit across from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

As on Thursday, the whole range of relations will then be discussed, from budget support to new sanctions against Russia to further reforms.

One topic, of course, should occupy a special place: the country's accession to the European Union.

Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal recently said several times that this process could be completed "in less than two years".

Selenskyj did not repeat this in a joint press conference with von der Leyen, but disclosed the motive behind it.

"We need the motivating results of European integration to show that the strength of our people on the battlefield and at all levels of this very difficult struggle has the support of all of Europe,"

There is a certain understanding of this in the Commission and the Council.

Von der Leyen praised the Ukrainians' "perseverance" and "determination" to the skies.

"You became a candidate country while resisting an invasion," she said on Thursday.

The country has made "impressive progress" on the seven reform targets that were linked to this status in June.

"It reassures me to see that the anti-corruption authorities are vigilant and are effectively uncovering cases of corruption." It was only on Wednesday that investigators took action against an influential oligarch who had supported Zelenskyy in the presidential election campaign.

The President can also expect a “message of encouragement” from Council President Michel on Friday, as one official made clear.

However, only in public.

The talks are likely to be different behind closed doors.

Accession in two years is considered completely unrealistic in Brussels - the negotiations have not even started yet.

In the spring, the Commission will make a preliminary assessment of readiness for accession, and then in more detail in the autumn.

Only then could negotiation chapters be opened, if Kyiv has opened up all the conditions.

The Ukrainian government is expected to “manage” expectations, meaning not let them skyrocket.