Germany’s foreign minister visits embattled Kharkiv in Ukraine

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock visited Kharkiv, Ukraine on Tuesday, becoming the first German Cabinet member to survey the war-torn eastern city. 

During her visit, she condemned Russia’s attacks on the city, while vowing solidarity and support for Ukrainians. She was accompanied on the trip by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Oleksii Makeiv, among other officials.

Baerbock said her visit to Kharkiv is an attempt to get a picture of the situation on the ground. 

“Above all, I want to listen to the residents, who are being so hard hit by the war in this bitterly cold winter, when temperatures are currently dropping in the night to -15 Celsius,” Baerbock said. 

She said she wants all of Ukraine, “from Kharkiv to Kherson to Kyiv,” to know they “can rely on our solidarity and support.”

Baerbock vowed new aid such as power generators and blankets to Ukraine, along with “further arms deliveries.” 

The visit follows Germany’s decision to deliver Marder infantry vehicles to Ukraine. Some German politicians have called for Berlin to go further and send Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine, but the German government has thus far ruled out such a request.   

More to follow… 

wd/msh (AFP, dpa) 

Article source: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-s-foreign-minister-visits-embattled-kharkiv-in-ukraine/a-64343264?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf