Kyiv, 12 September 2023 (TDI): The Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, Annalena Baerbock on her visit to Ukraine held meetings with the Ukrainian President, Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister.
The meetings took place on 11 September, in Kyiv that were centered on discussing Germany’s support towards Ukraine amidst the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
Meeting with the Ukrainian President
During the meeting between the Ukrainian President and German Foreign Minister, President Zelenskyy particularly thanked Germany for its significant military and financial support for Ukraine.
He also emphasized on a new defense package provided to Ukraine by Germany and vital contributions to the Ukrainian air defense.
President Zelenskyy in this regard stated, “I am grateful to Chancellor Scholz, his team, and the entire German people. During my visit to Germany, we felt strong support from your society.”
During the meeting, the President highlighted the urgent requirements of Ukraine’s defense forces on the battlefield.
Also, he focused on further strengthening the Ukrainian air defense system, in particular, to protect the south of Ukraine, and also talked about the Grain Corridor.
Furthermore, he shed light on the importance of obtaining additional assistance from partners to bolster the artillery of Ukrainian defenders, in particular through 155 mm caliber shed systems and long-range missiles.
The parties also discussed the progress made by Ukraine in implementing the recommendations of the European Commission in specification to obtaining the status of a candidate for EU membership.
The Ukrainian President also highlighted Ukraine’s readiness to cooperate closely with Germany in preparation for the next international conference on the recovery for Ukraine that is to be held in Berlin in the summer of 2024.
Meeting with the Ukrainian Prime Minister
The German Foreign Minister also met with the Ukrainian Prime Minister, Denys Shmyhal in Kyiv.
During the meeting, both sides discussed cooperation in the energy sector.
In this regard, the Prime Minister stressed that the restoration of Ukraine’s energy system was one of the key tasks for the government.
In correspondence, he thanked Germany for its assistance and the launch of a wind farm project in the Chornobyl exclusion zone.
Besides that, both parties talked about Ukraine’s integration into the EU and NATO.
Moreover, he thanked the German side for the financial support, in particular to the Ukraine Facility initiative.
In speaking about military assistance, the Ukrainian Prime Minister stated, “Germany is one of the leading providers of military assistance to our country. Ukraine hopes to receive Taurus missiles in the shortest possible time.”
Also read: EU Defense Ministers commit to long-term aid for Ukraine
Furthermore, the Prime Minister mentioned, “It is also important to protect Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure as much as possible. We are counting on Germany’s help in strengthening our air defense system.”
At last, the Ukrainian Prime Minister thanked the German government for supporting the Peace Formula of the President of Ukraine and for the continued solidarity with Ukraine.
Meeting with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister
The German Foreign Minister also met with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, in Kyiv.
Similarity to other meetings, both parties discussed Germany’s additional military assistance to Ukraine, and Ukraine’s accession to EU and NATO, followed by talking over the ways to secure Ukrainian grain export.
