<p>Russia faces "decay" because of ever more stringent sanctions from the West while Ukraine has a "European future", European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday during a visit to Kyiv.</p>.<p>"Russia will descend in economic, financial and technological decay while Ukraine is marching towards a European future," von der Leyen said at a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.</p>.<p>"Your fight is also our fight. I'm here in Kyiv with you today to send a very strong message that the EU is by your side. We stand by your side," she said.</p>.<p>Von der Leyen condemned civilian killings in the town of Bucha near Kyiv which Ukraine has blamed on Russian forces which were occupying the area at the time.</p>.<p><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/us-believes-russia-used-short-range-ballistic-missile-in-railway-station-strike-1099005.html"><strong>Also Read | US believes Russia used short-range missile in strike</strong></a></p>.<p>"Our humanity was shattered in Bucha," she said, also condemning the deaths of dozens of people in a rocket attack on a train station in Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine earlier on Friday as "appalling".</p>.<p>"We are mobilising our economic power to make (Russian President Vladimir) Putin pay a very, very heavy price," she said.</p>.<p>Zelensky said that while he was "personally thankful" to von der Leyen for the five rounds of EU sanctions, "this is not enough".</p>.<p>"They took many things from us, territory, people. We can retake the land but we will never be able to return the people," he said.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/un-to-produce-realistic-ukraine-war-casualty-estimates-1098998.html">UN to produce 'realistic' Ukraine war casualty estimates</a></strong></p>.<p>"For all this, Russia needs to take responsibility. That is why I am asking you to help us with your sanctions. They should only increase," he said.</p>.<p>Addressing Ukraine's ambitions to join the European Union, von der Leyen said: "We are with you as you dream of Europe".</p>.<p>She handed Zelensky a questionnaire as a "basis" for discussion in the coming weeks.</p>.<p>"It is where your path towards Europe and European Union begins," she said.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>
<p>Russia faces "decay" because of ever more stringent sanctions from the West while Ukraine has a "European future", European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday during a visit to Kyiv.</p>.<p>"Russia will descend in economic, financial and technological decay while Ukraine is marching towards a European future," von der Leyen said at a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.</p>.<p>"Your fight is also our fight. I'm here in Kyiv with you today to send a very strong message that the EU is by your side. We stand by your side," she said.</p>.<p>Von der Leyen condemned civilian killings in the town of Bucha near Kyiv which Ukraine has blamed on Russian forces which were occupying the area at the time.</p>.<p><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/us-believes-russia-used-short-range-ballistic-missile-in-railway-station-strike-1099005.html"><strong>Also Read | US believes Russia used short-range missile in strike</strong></a></p>.<p>"Our humanity was shattered in Bucha," she said, also condemning the deaths of dozens of people in a rocket attack on a train station in Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine earlier on Friday as "appalling".</p>.<p>"We are mobilising our economic power to make (Russian President Vladimir) Putin pay a very, very heavy price," she said.</p>.<p>Zelensky said that while he was "personally thankful" to von der Leyen for the five rounds of EU sanctions, "this is not enough".</p>.<p>"They took many things from us, territory, people. We can retake the land but we will never be able to return the people," he said.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/un-to-produce-realistic-ukraine-war-casualty-estimates-1098998.html">UN to produce 'realistic' Ukraine war casualty estimates</a></strong></p>.<p>"For all this, Russia needs to take responsibility. That is why I am asking you to help us with your sanctions. They should only increase," he said.</p>.<p>Addressing Ukraine's ambitions to join the European Union, von der Leyen said: "We are with you as you dream of Europe".</p>.<p>She handed Zelensky a questionnaire as a "basis" for discussion in the coming weeks.</p>.<p>"It is where your path towards Europe and European Union begins," she said.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>