Kyiv, Ukraine– Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germany’s President, has vowed that his country will continue offering support to Ukraine.
Steinmeier made the remarks during Tuesday’s visit to Ukraine, his first trip to Ukraine since Russia’s military operations in Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
The President had planned to visit Kyiv last Thursday, but the trip was canceled on short notice due to the intensification of Russian attacks on the capital, Kyiv.
“My message to the Ukrainians is that we are not only standing by your side. We will continue to support Ukraine, economically, politically, and also militarily. Let’s not forget what this war means for the people here in Ukraine. How much suffering, how much destruction there is. The people in Ukraine need us,” said Steinmeier.
In addition, Steinmeier said he was very happy to be in the country, and praised Ukrainians’ courage, fortitude, and unyieldingness.
“It was important to me, especially now in this phase of air attacks with drones, cruise missiles, and rockets, to send a message of solidarity to the Ukrainians,” said Steinmeier.
The visit comes after Ukraine renewed its requests for Western air defense systems in the wake of Russian strikes on Kyiv and other major cities.
Russia has repeatedly struck Ukrainian thermal power plants and power lines this month. President Vladimir Putin stated that the strikes were ramped up in retaliation against terrorist attacks on Russian soil, including the truck bombing that damaged the strategic bridge which connects the Crimean Peninsula with the Russian mainland.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, are currently hosting an expert conference in Berlin for talks on the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.
“We do not know when this war will end, but end it will, and when it does, we will continue to stand by Ukraine and its struggle for security, freedom, and democracy. We know that no two countries’ histories are the same, but from our own historical experience, we also know that reconstruction is always possible and that it is never too soon to tackle this task,” said Scholz.
In addition, Von der Leyen reiterated the European Union (EU)’s commitment to helping Ukraine, from relief for the country’s daily survival, including paying wages and pensions, to post-war reconstruction and modernization.
Moreso, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said those who invest in the reconstruction of Ukraine will be investing in the reconstruction of a future member of the EU.
