Germany supports Ukraine’s bid for full EU membership.
Ukraine called the visit of German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to Kyiv on Tuesday a “historic turning point.” During the visit, Berlin supported Ukraine’s bid for full EU membership and called for the termination of energy ties with Russia.
Annalena Baerbock is the highest–ranking representative of the German government who has visited Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion. During the visit, both sides tried to mend relations after disagreements on issues such as arms supplies and the imposition of sanctions.
Germany supported the embargo on Russian oil supplies, and Baerbock noted that Berlin intends to reduce imports of Russian energy carriers to zero, adding: “And it will always be so.”
Following the U.S. and the UK, Baerbock also announced the reopening of the German Embassy in Kyiv, which is a symbolic vote of confidence after diplomats were evacuated earlier.
Baerbock, who visited Ukraine together with the Dutch Foreign Minister, said that both countries would supply Ukraine with 12 howitzers, and that training of the Ukrainian military in their use would begin immediately.
“The fact that Germany stands for peace, for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine is a great historical turn, and I am grateful to the German government for this position,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.
At the briefing, Kuleba thanked Germany for changing its position on a number of issues, in particular with regard to arms supplies and support for the oil embargo.
Annalena Baerbock visited Bucha, a city where atrocities against civilians took place, of which Russian troops are accused.
According to Western countries, these actions should be qualified as war crimes.
During the visit to Bucha together with the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Baerbock stressed that the persons responsible for them should be brought to justice.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier are planning a trip to Ukraine at the invitation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
