Germany’s new foreign minister arrives in Kyiv

ISTANBUL

Germany’s new foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, arrived in Kyiv Monday on his first official visit to the Ukrainian capital since assuming the post last month.

“Ukraine will determine whether our Europe remains a place where freedom and human dignity count – or a continent where violence shifts borders,” Wadephul was quoted as saying after his arrival in Kyiv in a statement by Germany’s Federal Foreign Office.

Expressing that Berlin will continue to focus its attention on supporting Ukraine as it defends not only its freedom and sovereignty but also Europe’s security and freedom, Wadephul described Kyiv’s freedom and future as “the most important task of our foreign and security policy.”

Wadephul accused Moscow of aiming to “subjugate” Kyiv in the ongoing war, which continues since February 2022, arguing that Russia is counting on Europe to weaken its support for Ukraine.

“We will continue to stand firmly by Ukraine's side so that it can continue to defend itself successfully — with modern air defense and other weapons, with humanitarian and economic aid. That is the promise with which I travel to Kyiv today,” he said.

The German foreign minister also accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of not backing down from any of his “maximum” demands, claiming he “wants surrender, not negotiations.”

He said they will continue to restrict Russia’s ability to finance itself in the ongoing conflict through sanctions, for which he said they are continuing to work on “with the utmost pressure” in the EU and with their partners in the Group of Seven.

“The ideology of imperialism that drives Putin is the greatest threat to our security in Germany and Europe. The determination of NATO partners to invest 5 percent in defense and security in the future clearly demonstrates that we, as allies, are prepared to permanently defend our freedom and security,” he added.

Wadephul replaced in May Annalena Baerbock, who has been elected as president of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly starting in September.