Germany's Habeck visits Ukraine on surprise trip

The German vice chancellor’s arrival in Kyiv comes as Ukraine struggles to defend itself against constant Russian aerial attacks. Habeck is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the visit.

Habeck’s trip comes as Ukraine is in dire need of foreign assistance to fend off daily Russian attacks

German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck arrived in Ukraine on Thursday on a surprise trip.

The visit comes as Russia carries out daily air attacks on Ukraine, targeting Ukrainian infrastructure such as power stations in particular.

Why is the trip taking place?

Upon his arrival at Kyiv train station, Habeck said his visit comes as Ukraine needs every bit of support it can get to fight for its freedom.

“And it is indeed a fight for freedom,” Habeck said. “Yes, Ukraine is fighting for its self-determination, for its territorial integrity against Putin’s aggression, but it is also a fight for the values that unite and make up Europe.”

Later in the day, Habeck is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Deputy Prime Minister and Economics Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, and Energy Minister German Galushchenko, among others.

Habeck is also Germany’s economic affairs minister. His trip is in preparation for the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin in June, which will center on the reconstruction needs of Ukraine due to Russia’s war.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Cabinet last week approved a 15-point plan for the economic reconstruction of Ukraine.

The package of measures included financial subsidies and low-interest finance for small and medium-sized companies in Ukraine, as well as investment guarantees for German companies.

Russian threat keenly felt in Ukraine, and beyond

Ukraine faces an increasingly difficult situation in its war to repel Russia’s invasion. For months, Kyiv has repeatedly appealed to its allies to provide more ammunition and more resources for air defense. Meanwhile, the Russian army has recorded a series of territorial gains in eastern Ukraine in recent weeks.

Habeck is expected to travel on to Moldova to meet Prime Minister Dorin Recean. The country’s pro-Western leadership is striving to join the EU and sees Moldova, which borders on Ukraine, as also facing a security threat from Moscow.

rc/wd (dpa)