German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil during his visit to Kiev declared further billion-dollar German support for Ukraine. “We will support Ukraine with €9 billion a year”, he declared on Monday, August 25, in the capital of Ukraine. “This is simply a crucial contribution,” he added.
What safety guarantees?
Klingbeil besides referred to the question of possible safety guarantees for Russia's Ukraine. He pointed out that talks on this subject are just beginning and there are "very different options for what safety guarantees could look like."
However, it is crucial for him, "that we have a truly strong, capable Ukrainian army to defend," said the Social Democratic SPD politician, who in the German government next to the Vice Chancellor's function directs the finance department. "Second, arms production should besides be increased here in Ukraine, which will enable Ukraine to defend and deter," he added.
European troops in Ukraine
The Vice Chancellor of Germany arrived at the Ukrainian capital on Monday morning. He called for a ceasefire and "reliable safety guarantees to guarantee Ukraine's lasting peace". The safety guarantees that Ukraine could supply in the event of a ceasefire with Russia have been under discussion for months. On Sunday, August 24 – on the Day of independency of Ukraine – the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenski one more time appealed for the stationing of European troops in Ukraine after the end of the war.
Two days earlier, on Friday, visiting Kiev, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte demanded from Western allies "strong safety guarantees" for Ukraine. US president Donald Trump late agreed to supply air support to European peacekeeping forces.
However, Russia powerfully opposes the stationing of European troops in Ukraine.
