On surprise Odessa trip, EU's Michel forced to take cover during strike! EU debates with PM Shmyhal

European Council President Charles Michel, who made a surprise visit to Odessa on Monday, was forced to break off a meeting and take cover when missiles again struck the southern Ukrainian city, an EU official said.

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The strike took place as he held talks with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

"During the meeting with the PM, the participants needed to interrupt the meeting to take shelter as missiles struck again the region of Odessa," the official said.

As part of the visit, Michel was shown around the port and "was able to witness first hand the impact of Russia’s war on global supply chains," the EU official said.

"The many tons of grain stranded in the port due to the Russian blockade of the Black Sea not only damage Ukraine’s economy but equally hamper the world’s access to vital food and endanger food security worldwide," the official said.

Ukraine is a major global producer and exporter of wheat, but the invasion has disrupted both planting and distribution, which has been crippled by Russia's destruction of transportation infrastructure and its blockade on Odessa, the main port for grain exports.

Before the war Ukraine accounted for about 12 percent of the world's wheat exports, and the conflict has sent the prices of food commodities soaring.

The EU leader was also briefed by Ukraine's navy chief on "the damage caused by Russian missiles fired from the sea and was able to witness first hand the wanton destruction of a residential building and the impact on innocent civilians."

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Thank you for the opportunity to be here with you in Odessa, in Ukraine. This is an important day because May 9th is a remembrance day in Europe. We want to do everything we can to support Ukraine and to support the people of Ukraine. That is why we decided immediately to provide military equipment. And we will maintain all our efforts to support your army.

We also want to support you with financial means. We understand very well that you need money as soon as possible to fulfil the humanitarian needs. We also want to make it possible for you to have access to liquidity to be able to run the country on a daily basis.

We understand that the rebuilding of the country must start immediately, and that is why we fully support this initiative taken by your government. We intend to be a good and strong partner in helping to rebuild your country.

We are also determined to put pressure on the Kremlin by deciding on sanctions. We have decided to end the EU dependency on Russian fossil fuels. And we are very close to an agreement to ban Russian oil. We have also frozen the assets of many oligarchs. And personally, I think that we should also try to confiscate these assets in order to make the means and the money available for the rebuilding of the country.

We are convinced that, with sanctions, we need to do everything in order to break the Russian war machine.

Finally, we understand that this city is playing an important role in the food security of the world. Millions of tons of food are currently blocked here in Odessa. This means potentially dramatic consequences for many countries in the world, especially for developing countries. This is the direct responsibility of this war started by Russia. We must do everything to work together to address this food security challenge, which is important for the world.

Your country and the people of Ukraine made a clear choice. It started with Maidan. This is your choice for the free world, for the democratic principles, and for the fundamental values. You also made the free choice to apply to become a member of the EU. We perfectly understand that you are fighting with courage in order to protect and to defend the future of your country and the security of your children. But you are also fighting to defend our common European principles and values.

Our message here today is not only a symbolic message. My message is you are not alone. We are on your side. Our support is, and will be, unwavering.