Reassurance for Kyiv in key EU speech

But von der Leyen silent on fresh aid, while stressing action on energy crisis

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged continued support for Ukraine and measures to tackle the continent's looming energy and economic crisis as she delivered her State of the European Union address on Wednesday.

Speaking in Strasbourg, France, and with Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska present, von der Leyen announced that she was going to Kyiv later on Wednesday to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to talk about Ukraine's "seamless access to the single market, and vice versa".

But she did not announce any major new aid to Ukraine in her speech.