Making a surprise visit to Odessa today, European Council President Charles Michel said that Russia cannot “exercise” Ukraine’s “freedom” and promised that the European Union will stand by Kiev “as long as necessary”.

“The Kremlin wants to uphold the spirit of freedom and democracy,” Michel said in a video posted on Twitter.

“I am absolutely certain that they will never succeed,” he added, before promising that the EU would help Ukraine “build a modern and democratic country”.

In another video, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Chmygal appears in a bulletproof vest visiting the port city with Maxime Martchenko, the governor of the Odessa region, and armed guards.

An EU official said Michel was recently forced to seek protection due to missile attacks.

According to the source, “The participants had to interrupt the meeting to seek protection, as the missiles again hit the Odessa region.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended a video conference meeting with Michel and thanked him for his “courage” and his visit to Odessa, according to a statement from the presidency.