“In Kyiv today. In the heart of a free and democratic Europe,’’ Michel said on Twitter.

He announced that the solidarity visit would be using an alternative spelling for the Ukrainian capital.

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olga Stefanishyna greeted Michel on his arrival in Kiev.

Michel planned  to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later, an EU official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

No further details of the visit were available due to security reasons.