Foreign Minister Baerbock visits Kyiv – and meets Selenski

Berlin It was a planned visit, but one the details of which were kept top secret for security reasons. The destination of Annalena Baerbock (Greens) only became known on the day of the trip: the German Foreign Minister found out about the extent of the Russian war of aggression in the region around the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Tuesday.

First she visited the Kiev suburbs of Bucha and Irpin, where the Russian army allegedly committed serious war crimes. Places where the top diplomat dispensed with diplomatic phrases and got very personal. Butscha is a “place where the worst crimes imaginable have happened”. It had become clear to her that “these victims could all be us”.

Also at Baerbock’s side: Iryna Wenediktowa, the Ukrainian Attorney General, who is pushing ahead with the investigation of the alleged war crimes. The Greens politician promised that Germany and the international community would do their best to help them clarify the matter. “We will ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable, we owe it to the victims.”

She later specified that the investigations of the International Criminal Court would be supported politically, financially and with German personnel.

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During a visit to the devastated small town of Irpin, also on the outskirts of Kyiv, the German Foreign Minister addressed the Ukrainian population directly and encouraged them. “You are very brave and all we can do is stand by your side.”

Annalena Baerbock in Bucha

The Federal Foreign Minister got an idea of ​​the situation in the Kyiv suburb.

(Photo: Reuters)

Irpin’s mayor Olexander Markuschyn showed Baerbock the devastation of the war. Above all, Ukraine will need many deminers in the future.

In Kyiv, Baerbock then met the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy together with the Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra. The exchange was “open and friendly”, according to delegation circles.

The focus of the conversation was military support. Baerbock informed Selenski that in a few days the training of Ukrainian soldiers on the modern Panzerhaubitze 2000 would begin, which Germany and the Netherlands would deliver to Ukraine.

Reconstruction was also discussed – and the question of how the blockade of food exports from Ukraine, which are needed worldwide, can be solved.

Baerbock: “We will hold the perpetrators accountable”

During her meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Baerbock once again got very personal. She is happy to be a guest in a free Kyiv. As a “friend” of the Ukrainians, Baerbock promised to help rebuild the devastated Ukrainian cities.

At a press conference with Kuleba, Baerbock said Germany would “unshakeably” support Ukraine’s fight for freedom and peace. Together with German companies, they are working to ensure that the country “can get state-of-the-art systems to protect their cities against future attacks”.

The Greens politician explained that Germany wants to get by completely without the energy of the “aggressor” Russia in the future. “That’s why we are reducing our dependency on Russian energy to zero with all consistency – for good.” So far, Germany has been primarily dependent on Russian gas.

The Foreign Minister also announced that she would reopen the German embassy in Kyiv during her visit. Germany is thus one of the last Western countries to reactivate their representation in the capital. France, Italy, Great Britain and other European countries had gone ahead.

>> Read the Handelsblatt comment: Scholz and Merz’s Kyiv travel plans are completely screwed up

Baerbock put a damper on Ukrainian hopes for quick accession to the EU. In a video speech on Monday evening, President Zelensky expressed his wish to be granted EU accession candidate status by June.

Baerbock dampens hopes of EU accession: “No shortcuts”

Kyiv had previously handed over a thousand-page questionnaire on EU membership to Brussels. Baerbock made it clear in Kyiv: “There can be no shortcuts on the way to full EU membership.” There should be no more false promises.

When it comes to arms deliveries, too, it must be a matter of making realistic assessments. In fact, Europe’s armies currently have deficits, their equipment is not what is desirable in the current situation. “That’s why we have clear priorities about what will be delivered and when.”

Baerbock in Irpin

Visit to a bombed apartment building.

(Photo: IMAGO/photothek)

The foreign minister was the first member of the German government to visit Ukraine since the outbreak of war. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) had described the invitation of the Federal President by the Ukrainian President Zelenski as an obstacle to his own trip to Kyiv. In the meantime, however, the upsets have been cleared up.

More: Read the current developments in the Ukraine war in the live blog

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