Zelenskyy presents new Order of Europe award to European Commission President von der Leyen

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has for the first time presented the new Order of Europe award to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

This is stated in Decree No. 605 of July 15, the Ukrainian News agency reports.

“To award the Order of Europe to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission,” the decree states.

The decree notes that von der Leyen is being honored for her outstanding personal contributions to supporting Ukraine’s strategic course toward full membership in the European Union, her significant contribution to helping Ukraine strengthen its resilience in defending its independence and the security of all of Europe, strengthening international cooperation in the interests of democracy, peace, and good neighborliness, as well as friendly and comprehensive relations between nations.

In another decree dated July 15, Zelenskyy approved the charter and design of the new order.

On July 15, von der Leyen is visiting Ukraine to participate in the fifth “Ukraine–Southeast Europe” summit.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, in late June, Zelenskyy proposed that the Verkhovna Rada establish a new state award—the Order of Europe—to support Ukraine’s membership in the European Union.

On July 14, the Verkhovna Rada passed the corresponding law.