Ahead of Independence Day, Wadephul Travels to Ukraine for Talks
Amid new Russian attacks, Foreign Minister Wadephul has traveled to Ukraine. He accused the leadership in Moscow of "indiscriminate murder of civilians," while also pointing to signs of weakness within the Russian regime.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has arrived for a solidarity visit just ahead of Ukraine's 35th Independence Day.
After arriving by special train in Kyiv, the CDU politician condemned the escalating Russian drone and missile attacks and accused Moscow of "indiscriminate murder of civilians" as well as the deliberate destruction of energy infrastructure. "We stand at Ukraine's side. We support it. It will win this military conflict," said Wadephul.
Wadephul Sees "Signs of Weakness" in Russia
Russia wants to destroy the livelihoods of people in Ukraine and thereby break their will to persevere, Wadephul continued. The summer months of July and August have been the deadliest for Ukraine's civilian population in more than four years. "Never before has Russia fired more missiles at its neighboring country," he said.
He pledged further support for Ukraine. He expressed hope that Russia could thereby be moved toward peace negotiations. It is becoming increasingly clear to more and more people in Russia that continuing the war will only drive the country further into economic ruin, Wadephul said.
"The increasingly erratic propaganda and ever more totalitarian repression at home is also a sign of the regime's weakness. The only way out is peace — that Putin finally accepts this and finally stops sending the youth of his own country to their deaths by the thousands is the goal of all our measures." No country, he added, invests as much in military and financial support for Ukraine as Germany.
Ukraine Celebrates 35 Years of Independence
This is Wadephul's fourth visit to the country since taking office 16 months ago. The visit was not publicly announced for security reasons. The central focus of the visit will be talks with the Ukrainian leadership, as well as discussions on winter security preparedness and the deepening of German-Ukrainian security cooperation.
Russia has been attacking Ukraine with drones and missiles almost daily since the start of its war of aggression in February 2022. Ukraine has responded with strikes on Russian territory. In recent weeks, Russia has intensified its attacks on its neighbor, with civilian infrastructure also in the crosshairs of Russian forces.
It was 35 years ago this coming Monday that Ukraine gained independence from the Soviet Union. Celebrations are taking place around the anniversary, primarily in the capital Kyiv.
