NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg urged Ukraine and its allies not to "lose heart" and von der Leyen praised Ukraine's "extraordinary resistance" as she arrived in the Ukrainian capital.
Ukraine's military chief Oleksandr Syrsky said he was confident of victory "because light always conquers darkness".
Kyiv signed security agreements with Ottawa and Rome, with Canada saying it would provide a total of US$2.2 billion in financial and military support in 2024.
"We will stand with Ukraine with whatever it takes, for as long as it takes," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also visited Ukraine, arriving from Moldova and touring the southern port of Odesa alongside her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba, according to an AFP reporter travelling with Baerbock.
Speaking at the Palanca border crossing as the two ministers walked into Ukraine, Baerbock said: "We could say this is a next step to European integration and into the European Union."
The European Union in December last year opened accession negotiations with Ukraine, which is also hoping to join the NATO military alliance.
"WAR IS OUR LIFE"
But the overall picture remains bleak for Ukraine due to the US Congress blocking a vital US$60 billion aid package, on top of delays in promised European deliveries.
Russia is attacking hard in the east after capturing the heavily fortified town of Avdiivka on Feb 17.
In the east Ukraine city of Pokrovsk - a gathering point for civilians fleeing fighting - troops sent a clear message to the foreign leaders gathered in Kyiv.
"Give us artillery, drones, counter-battery, shells," said a 31-year-old Ukrainian soldier, who identified himself as Woodie.
"Our infantry, armed with assault rifles and grenades, were facing artillery, aircraft, and tanks," added a 39-year-old serviceman from Kyiv, who has been fighting for two years.
Russia has kept up its barrage of devastating drone and missile attacks on Ukraine's cities.
In the latest strikes, Ukrainian authorities said three civilians were killed in Dnipro and Odesa in the night between Friday and Saturday.
In Kyiv, the mood was grim.
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2024-02-24 14:50:00Z
CBMic2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vd29ybGQvdWtyYWluZS1wcmVzaWRlbnQtdm9sb2R5bXlyLXplbGVuc2t5eS13YXItYW5uaXZlcnNhcnktcnVzc2lhLWludmFzaW9uLTQxNDcwOTHSAQA
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