German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck arrived in Kyiv on Monday morning for political talks on a surprise visit.
Habeck said the aim of the talks was to “give Ukraine hope” that the country will be rebuilt after the war.
The business of rebuilding
The talks will reportedly focus on cooperation to redevelop Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Habeck, who is also Germany’s economy minister, said investment decisions had either already been made, or were due to be made.
He was accompanied by a small business delegation including Siegfried Russwurm, president of the Federation of German Industries.
Russwurm described the trip as a “signal to the Ukrainians that German industry also stands with them.”
It is Habeck’s first visit to Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion on February 24, 2022.
Germany has become one of Ukraine’s key military backers, despite initial criticism that it had been too hesitant to help. Most recently, Berlin has provided Kyiv with 18 Leopard 2 battle tanks, said to be among the most potent weapons in the West’s arsenal.
zc/rc (dpa, ARD)
