Zelenskyy meets with Germany’s FM Baerbock, discuss energy and security aid

German media outlet ZDF reported the information.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is visiting Ukraine for the fourth time since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Baerbock arrived in the Ukrainian capital on Monday morning for a visit that was initially kept secret for security reasons.

A week before the UN General Assembly in New York, the visit likely serves as an expression of solidarity and support.

With the airspace over Ukraine still closed, Baerbock arrived in Kyiv from Poland on a special train at night, as is customary for high-level political visits. German Ambassador Martin Jäger met and greeted her on the platform.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that Ukraine is counting on Germany's assistance in strengthening its air defense.

"I confirmed Ukraine's desire to receive Taurus missiles as soon as possible. It is also important to protect Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure as much as possible. We are counting on Germany's assistance in strengthening the air defense system," the Prime Minister wrote.

Helping Ukraine prepare for winter

At a joint press conference with her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced the allocation of USD 21 million to help Ukraine prepare its energy system for possible Russian attacks in the winter.

"We are supporting Ukraine in its preparations for the winter and are once again increasing our emergency humanitarian aid by EUR 20 million, bringing our humanitarian assistance to EUR 380 million this year alone. We are supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression economically, with weapons and humanitarian aid. With EUR 22 billion, Germany is the second-largest donor to Ukraine in the world," she said.

She noted that Russia has reduced its attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure in the summer because it is saving missiles for the winter: "The time when it will hurt more."

Zelenskyy met with German Foreign Minister

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany Annalena Baerbock. 

"We appreciate the extremely significant German support for Ukraine. We are especially grateful for the new defense assistance package for our country and, in general, for the true leadership contribution to strengthening Ukraine's air defense," the Ukrainian leader wrote.

During the meeting, they discussed defense cooperation, protection of civilians in Ukraine, European integration, and energy, which remains a target for Russian terror.

Baerbock promises to support Ukraine on its way to the EU

Upon arrival, Baerbock promised Ukraine continued support on its path to the European Union, but also insisted on further reform efforts, such as to fight corruption. 

According to Baerbock, Ukraine "also defends the freedom of all of us. Just as Ukraine puts itself in front of us, it can also rely on us." For instance, Germany is committed to strongly backing Ukraine on its path toward European Union integration.

Later, Annalena Baerbock said that Kyiv could count on Berlin's support on this path, as Germany is convinced that "EU enlargement is a necessary geopolitical consequence of Russia's war."

The minister's statement was quoted by the press service of the German Foreign Ministry, according to European Pravda.

"Under a hail of bombs, in the face of Russian tanks, Ukraine has confidently and decisively embarked on the path to the European Union. With great courage and determination, Ukraine is also defending the freedom of each of us," Baerbock said.

The ministry notes that Baerbock’s visit will focus on measures to ensure and protect the supply of power, water and heat to Ukraine’s population, especially next winter, amid possible Russian attacks on infrastructure.

Chornobyl may become a symbol of clean energy

According to the German Foreign Ministry, the countries want to cooperate even more closely in the future: in the transition to renewable energy sources, the gradual abandonment of coal, the stable operation of power grids, and energy-efficient housing construction, the Foreign Ministry said.

In particular, the feasibility of building a wind farm in the Chornobyl zone was discussed. 

"The territory affected by the nuclear accident almost forty years ago can thus become a symbol of clean and climate-friendly energy with green electricity for Kyiv in the midst of Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine," the statement said.

The abduction of Ukrainian children by Russia and the fate of the affected families will also be important topics of Baerbock’s visit.

• On August 22, the German Foreign Minister also said that Russia violates the UN Charter, continuously bombing civilian targets in Ukraine, and Ukraine defends itself within the framework of international law.

• Also on August 22, Baerbock said that Ukraine was defending itself within the framework of international law by launching drone strikes on targets in Russia.