Poland's conservative leader Jarosław Kaczyński, who is deputy prime minister in charge of security, was also on the train bound for the Ukrainian capital to show support for the country on behalf of the EU, according to an aide to the Polish prime minister.
Jarosław Kaczyński. Image: PR24
The trip marked the first time foreign leaders were due to visit the Ukrainian capital since Russia invaded last month, news agencies reported.
It was taking place at a time when Kyiv was under Russian attacks, with two powerful explosions rocking the city before dawn on Tuesday and two people reported dead after an apartment building was struck, according to the Reuters news agency.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Facebook that the trip was taking place on the 20th day of Russian President Vladimir Putin's "criminal aggression" against Ukraine.
"It is our duty to be where history is happening because it's not about us, but about the future of our children who deserve to live in a world free from tyranny," Morawiecki wrote.
His office said in a statement in English: "Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the National Security and Defense Committee Jarosław Kaczyński together with Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala and Prime Minister of Slovenia Janez Janša are going to Kyiv today as representatives of the European Council to meet with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister of Ukraine Denis Shmyhal,"
The Polish prime minister's office added that the visit "is organized in consultation with" European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.
"The purpose of the visit is to confirm the unequivocal support of the entire European Union for the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine," according to the statement.
"The aim of this visit is also to present a broad package of support for the Ukraine and Ukrainians," it said.
The statement also said that the international community "has been informed about the visit by international organizations," including the United Nations.
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Source: PAP, gov.pl, Reuters