Ukraine can continue to rely on Germany, says Vice-Chancellor during Kyiv visit

BERLIN - Russian President Vladimir Putin should be aware that Germany’s support for Ukraine is not waning, said German Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil on Aug 25 upon arriving in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv on an unannounced visit.

“Putin should have no illusions that Germany’s support for Ukraine could crumble,” said Mr Klingbeil, who is also Finance Minister and leader of the Social Democratic Party that is the junior partner in Chancellor Friedrich Merz’ conservative-led coalition government.

“On the contrary: We remain Ukraine’s second-largest supporter worldwide and the largest in Europe,” said Mr Klingbeil. “Ukraine can continue to rely on Germany.”

He urged Mr Putin to demonstrate an interest in a peace process in Europe’s deadliest war in 80 years that

broke out in February 2022

.

US President Donald Trump has

pressed for a quick end

to the war, but Kyiv and its allies are concerned he could seek to force an agreement on Russia’s terms.

Mr Klingbeil said Ukraine needed to be involved in the talks and there needed to be a ceasefire and reliable security guarantees for a lasting peace.

“To this end, we are coordinating closely internationally,” he said.

Among the options presented this week for security for Ukraine after a possible peace deal, both French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer

supported troop deployments

as part of a coalition of the willing.

Mr Merz has also signalled openness to Germany’s participation but would face a backlash, both from within and outside his political spectrum, on the matter.

According to Mr Klingbeil’s ministry, the German government has supported Ukraine with €50.5 billion (S$75.8 billion) since the war started. REUTERS