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UKRAINE

Scholz says Zelensky to take part in G7 summit

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Thursday during a visit to Kyiv that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would take part in this month's Group of Seven summit.

Published: 16 June 2022 16:46 CEST
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz walks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Thursday.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz walks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Kay Nietfeld

In a tweet, Scholz thanked Zelensky for “accepting my invitation to participate in the G7 summit” being held June 26th to 28th in the German Alpine resort of Schloss Elmau.

Zelensky, who is not believed to have left Ukraine since the start of the war on February 24, was expected to join the leaders by video-link.

Scholz arrived with French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian premier Mario Draghi in Ukraine by train early Thursday and headed to Irpin, scene of fierce battles early in Russia’s invasion.

READ ALSO: Macron, Scholz and Draghi meet Ukrainian president in Kyiv 

Scholz called the wreckage he witnessed “terrible” and “senseless”.

“An entire city in which there was no military infrastructure whatsoever was destroyed,” he told reporters.

“That tells us a lot about the brutality of the Russian war of aggression which is only aimed at destroying and conquering.”

Scholz pledged “international solidarity so the citizens of Ukraine will be able to rebuild their country”.

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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.

Published: 18 April 2024 09:08 CEST
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

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