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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
Robert Habeck (Greens), Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, gets off the night train at Kyiv train station after his arrival on Thursday.
Robert Habeck (Greens), Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, gets off the night train at Kyiv train station after his arrival on Thursday. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Kay Nietfeld

“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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POLITICS

Top UN court throws out Gaza ‘genocide’ suit against Germany

The UN's top court Tuesday threw out Nicaragua's request for emergency measures to stop Germany from sending military supplies to Israel because of its action in the Gaza war.

Published: 30 April 2024 16:31 CEST
Top UN court throws out Gaza 'genocide' suit against Germany

International Court of Justice presiding judge Nawaf Salam said the circumstances presented to the court did not warrant “provisional measures”.

Nicaragua hauled Germany before the ICJ to demand emergency measures to stop Germany sending Israel weapons and other assistance that could be used in the devastating Gaza war. Nicaragua accused Germany of violating the 1948 international genocide convention.

Nicaragua targeted Germany rather than Israel’s main ally, the United States, because Washington did not recognise ICJ jurisdiction in the case, Managua’s lawyers said.

Arms to Israel

Lawyers from the two countries clashed at the court this month, with Nicaragua saying Germany was “pathetic” for providing weapons to Israel and aid to Gazans. Berlin responded that Israel’s security was at the “core” of its foreign policy and that Nicaragua had “grossly distorted” Germany’s supply of military aid to Israel.

“Germany only supplies arms based on a meticulous scrutiny that far exceeds the demands of international law,” said Tania von Uslar-Gleichen, a German representative to the ICJ. Those supplies are “subject to a continuous evaluation of the situation on the ground”, she added.

Nicaragua requested five emergency measures, including that Germany “immediately suspend its aid to Israel, in particular its military assistance including military equipment”.

The judges agreed with Berlin, saying “the court notes that Germany states that it has fulfilled the obligation incumbent on states parties to the Genocide Convention to prevent the occurrence of genocide.” In fact, it noted that “as stated by Germany” there had been a significant decrease in its supply of military material since November 2023.

Gaza genocide claims

The war began on October 7th with an unprecedented Hamas attack that resulted in the deaths of about 1,170 people in Israel, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed at least 34,488 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry.

Cases relating to the Gaza war brought before the ICJ are closely followed. In another procedure, South Africa accused Israel — which like the United States is not a member of the court — of perpetuating genocide in the Gaza Strip.

Israel “categorically” denies the South African accusations, which include responsibility for starvation. In that case, the court called on Israel to do everything in its power to prevent genocide and recently ordered the country to “ensure urgent humanitarian assistance” in Gaza without delay.

Though ICJ decisions are binding, the court has no mechanism to enforce them. For example, it ordered Russia to cease its invasion of Ukraine, in vain.

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