The German Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, has landed this Saturday in Kiev coinciding with the events for the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence and on the eve of the meeting that the countries leading the so-called Volunteer Coalition in support of Kiev during the war with Russia will hold this Monday in the Ukrainian capital, a group in which Berlin participates.
Wadephul's arrival also occurs in a context of intensification of Russian bombings. One of these attacks hit a shopping center in Krivoi Rog on Friday, where, according to Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski, there has been a reported balance of 16 dead, 130 injured, and a large fire that has already been extinguished.
Just stepping into the Ukrainian capital, Wadephul has condemned the new wave of drone and missile attacks launched by Russia, accusing Moscow of "indiscriminate murder of civilians" and the intentional destruction of the country's energy infrastructure.
The German minister's trip also takes place just days after another 16 people lost their lives in missile bombings against Kiev.
According to the head of German diplomacy, Moscow aims to destroy the material bases of the Ukrainian population and break their determination to continue resisting. "Never before has Russia fired more missiles at its neighboring country," Wadephul emphasized.
"We see the suffering, we see how this country has fought, and we will continue to support it. We are on the side of Ukraine, which is going to win this military confrontation," he assured.
The German Foreign Minister has guaranteed an increase in support for Ukraine in the face of the fifth winter of war since the Russian invasion in February 2022, in anticipation of new attacks against its energy network.
"No country invests as much in military and financial support for Ukraine as Germany," Wadephul declared, expressing his hope that Russia will eventually sit down to negotiate despite the blockage of diplomatic efforts in recent months.
This is Wadephul's fourth visit to Ukraine since he took office 16 months ago. For security reasons, the trip was not announced in advance, as is usually the case. The details of his agenda in Kiev have also not been made public, although for the moment he has visited, along with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, the monument dedicated to Ukrainians who died in the war in Maidan Square.