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Nearly 1000 days of war and terror, but also nearly 1000 days of courage and humanity – Foreign Minister Baerbock is once again visiting Ukraine
Foreign Minister Baerbock during der visit of the Bakhmut Hub in Chernihiv, © Photothek Media Lab
It is the Foreign Minister’s eighth visit since Russia launched its war of aggression against all of Ukraine. Read on to learn more about her trip.
These days, night-time temperatures in Ukraine’s capital are again starting to fall below freezing. Ukraine’s third winter since the beginning of the illegal war of aggression against the entire country is drawing near. For the third time, the country is worried about its energy infrastructure. During the last two winters, Russian rockets and drones repeatedly targeted the entire country’s energy supply. That is why, this winter once again, people fear targeted strikes against combined heat and power plants, the water supply infrastructure and substations – in short, everything that keeps the country’s heat, electricity and lights on during the cold months. Foreign Minister Baerbock:
With his war of attrition, Putin wants to break the people in Ukraine, to bring them to their knees with every attack. By hitting them right where they should be going about their normal lives: at home, at work, at school.
Russia will not achieve its goal; despite Russia's using the cold as a weapon of war, Ukrainians are courageously standing up to the pressure. Already during her past trips, the Foreign Minister witnessed people’s impressive resilience first-hand as they keep rebuilding schools, hospitals and residential buildings, and Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, in spite of the ongoing attacks. Recently, an important step has also been taken towards funding the country’s particularly urgent needs: The G7 will use what are referred to as windfall profits from frozen Russian assets to back a 50 billion US dollar loan to Ukraine.
In addition to her political discussions, Foreign Minister Baerbock intends to use her current trip to speak with Ukrainian citizens, who for nearly 1000 days now have each in their own way been courageously standing up for a future for their country in peace and security, as well as supporting one another. The Foreign Minister’s most important message to them during her visit is:
We are countering this brutality with our humanity and support – not only so that the Ukrainian people can survive the winter but also so that their country can continue to exist. For they are also defending the freedom of all of us in Europe.
Beyond our energy assistance – our “winter defence shield” for Ukraine – another key priority is strengthening the country’s air defence. For the Foreign Minister, it is clear that repairs, solar modules and generators will not be of any use if they are left defenceless against the next barrage of missiles. Her trip will therefore also be an opportunity to identify areas in which the international community can continue to provide tailored support.
Putin’s aim was to drive a deeper wedge between Ukraine and its European neighbours. This is not going to plan. On the contrary – Ukraine has already implemented important reforms. The European Commission has acknowledged this progress in its Ukraine Report, also with a view to EU enlargement. One of the reasons the Foreign Minister is currently visiting Kyiv is to assure Ukrainians that Germany will continue to stand right by their country’s side as it resolutely continues down the road toward EU membership.
