German defence minister arrives in Ukraine to send message of support

14/1/2025 19:03

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius arrived in Kyiv on Tuesday on a visit intended to send a clear signal of Europe's support ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has pushed for swift talks to end the Ukraine war.



Pistorius said upon arriving in Kyiv"The first and most important thing is to make it very clear psychologically and politically that we will continue to stand by Ukraine."



He will meet the Ukrainian government to discuss further aid and will assess the military situation.



Pistorius' visit, which is also intended to signal Berlin's backing for Kyiv heading into next month's German elections, comes less than a week before Trump is set to be sworn in for a second term as U.S. president on Jan. 20.



Trump says he will quickly solve the war in Ukraine and has criticised the scale of U.S. support for Kyiv.



Pistorius, a member of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats, said that Ukraine especially required support as Russian President Vladimir Putin "is of course trying to make up as much ground as possible before Jan. 20 in the possible expectation of ceasefire negotiations."



Germany is among Ukraine's top military backers in its war against Russia.