German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock made a surprise visit to Kiev on Monday, where she reiterated her pledge of unwavering support for Ukraine and praised the country’s progress towards EU membership.
#German Minister of Foreign Affairs Annalena #Baerbock arrived in #Kiev during an unannounced visit
This is her fourth trip to Ukraine since the start of a full-scale war. pic.twitter.com/5Kpp0o4BBK
– NEXTA (@nexta_tv) September 11, 2023
“With enormous courage and determination, Ukraine also defends the freedom of all of us,” said Baerbock na statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs upon his arrival in the Ukrainian capital.
And Ukraine can “count on us,” Baerbock added. “We will not give up our efforts to support Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression: economically, militarily and humanitarianly.” said Baerbock.
It was Baerbock’s fourth visit to Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022.
The Ukrainian candidacy for membership of the European Union is expected to be one of the topics of discussion with the Ukrainian authorities during this trip.
Ukraine was granted EU candidate status a year ago and hopes to begin formal negotiations in 2023 on what it should do to consolidate its membership bid.
Baerbock said Ukraine has already made “good progress” in some areas, including judicial reforms, but said it still has “a way to go” in the fight against corruption.
The German minister reaffirmed Germany’s “resolute support for Ukraine on its path to the European Union.”
“And we as the EU must now work quickly to ensure we are well positioned for more seats at the table,” he added.
In the statement, Baerbock also expressed his displeasure over the forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia.
“We support the organizations, Ukrainian authorities and NGOs working to bring the kidnapped children home,” Baerbock said. “Nothing justifies waging this war on the backs of the most innocent children,” he stressed.
“The first step towards peace is for Putin to let these children return home,” the head of German diplomacy stressed.
Source: DN
