New German Foreign Minister Johann Wadeful arrived in Lviv last night on his first visit to Ukraine since taking office, ahead of an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers scheduled for today, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
The talks in the western Ukrainian city will also be attended by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Szybiga, and the focus will be on continued support for Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian invasion.
Wadeful told public broadcaster AER that Germany would remain one of Ukraine's strongest supporters, saying "this will not change and we will make it clear in the coming days."
He said that intends to assess Ukraine's current needs during the meeting. "We will provide what is needed and we will continue to do so for as long as necessary - until Russia understands that this war must end, negotiations must begin and the ceasefire must be respected," he said.
Meanwhile, European Union High Representative Kaia Kalas, speaking in Warsaw yesterday, announced that one billion euros would be allocated to support Ukraine's defense industry under an initiative led by Denmark and supported by several EU member states.
She stressed that this was again a "very important signal" for Ukraine. In addition to the new military aid, Kalas will give her political support in Lviv for the establishment of a special tribunal for all war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine.
„There will be no impunity. There will be responsibility for the crimes committed,“ she said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a phone conversation last night, which he described as “good and detailed“, with the new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
Zelensky wrote on the social network “Ex“ that Merz had promised support for Kiev in the future, adding that it was “important to hear this“.
“We count on Germany to continue to play one of the most key roles in supporting Ukraine – both in protecting our people now and in rebuilding the country when the war is over," Zelensky wrote.
He said the two "have already agreed to work on implementing very important things," stressing that there is "great potential" on the partnership between Berlin and Ukraine.
Merz told Zelensky that Germany supports US President Donald Trump's mediation efforts in close coordination with other European partners, a German government spokesman said, quoted by Reuters.
“This includes helping Ukraine to defend itself effectively against Russian aggression and exerting pressure on Russia“, the spokesman said.
Zelensky was one of the first foreign politicians to congratulate Merz on the social network “Ex“, immediately after his appointment as chancellor on Tuesday, DPA reminds.