SHARE
COPY LINK

UKRAINE

Germany’s Scholz to convene G7 talks on Ukraine next week

The current G7 president, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), has invited member nations to a summit next week.

Germany’s Scholz to convene G7 talks on Ukraine next week
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) stands in the Chancellor's Office after the recording of a televised speech on the invasion of Russian troops in Ukraine in February. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/AP/Pool | Markus Schreiber

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as current G7 president has invited the leaders of the world’s top industrialised countries to a meeting on Ukraine as part of EU and NATO summits next week, his office said Friday.

Deputy government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann told reporters the talks in Brussels on Thursday would focus “in particular on the situation in Ukraine” and be “integrated” into the previously scheduled summits.

Germany this year holds the rotating presidency of the Group of Seven, which also includes Britain, Canada, France, Italy, Japan and the United States.

Scholz was already due to attend a special NATO summit, where Hoffmann said the “main topic will be the Russian attack on Ukraine and its consequences for the alliance” in addition to means to bolster its defence capabilities.

READ ALSO: ‘Whatever it takes’: Calls grow for painful German blockade of Russian gas

The EU summit is set approve a new strategic overhaul for the 27-member bloc that aims for more military autonomy, and debate energy prices and supply security in the wake of the Ukraine invasion, she added.

US President Joe Biden was already slated to attend both the EU and the NATO summits, which he has said he will use to demonstrate Washington’s “iron-clad” backing for its allies.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

UKRAINE

German economy minister makes unexpected visit to Ukraine

German Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck unexpectedly arrived in Kyiv on Thursday to discuss post-war reconstruction and show support after Russian attacks on key Ukrainian infrastructure.

German economy minister makes unexpected visit to Ukraine

“This visit comes at a time when Ukraine needs all the support it can get in its fight for freedom,” Habeck told reporters in the Ukrainian capital.

“And it is a fight for freedom, that’s the important thing that the world, Europe and Germany mustn’t forget,” he said, adding that Ukraine was “fighting for the values that define Europe”.

The trip comes after Germany at the weekend announced it was sending an additional Patriot air defence system to Ukraine after pleas from Kyiv for its Western backer to urgently help foil Russian attacks.

Ukraine has said it is running out of weaponry to shoot down Russian missiles and drones as Moscow ramps up attacks on energy infrastructure.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday urged fellow EU leaders to urgently follow Berlin’s lead and send more air defence systems to Ukraine.

Habeck, who was accompanied by a business delegation on the trip, will hold talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

He will also meet with Ukrainian officials to discuss emergency aid and business ties as well as preparations for the annual Ukraine Recovery Conference to be held in Berlin in June, the German economy ministry said in a statement.

“Comprehensive support for Ukraine also includes support for a resilient energy supply and reconstruction. Private sector investment is crucial for this to succeed,” Habeck was quoted as saying in the statement.

The World Bank has estimated the total cost of reconstruction facing Ukraine more than two years since the start of the war is at least $486 billion.

OPINION: Germany’s timid strategy risks both Ukraine’s defeat and more war in Europe

SHOW COMMENTS