Scholz: They want to demonstrate solidarity in Kyiv

Created: 06/16/2022Updated: 06/16/2022 09:04

Italy's Prime Minister Mario Draghi (lr), French President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Olav Scholz (SPD) are sitting on a train on their way to Kyiv.

The three heads of government arrived in the country at war with Russia this morning.

© Michael Fischer/dpa

Ukraine has been pushing for a visit by the German chancellor to Kyiv for weeks.

Now he's here - along with two other powerful Europeans.

After four months of war, expectations are high.

Kyiv - Chancellor Olaf Scholz has assured Ukraine of continued full support in its fight against Russia's attack.

"It is important when the heads of government of the three big countries, who were involved in the founding of the European Economic Community, go to Kyiv and show their support for Ukraine and the citizens of Ukraine in this very special situation of war." , said the SPD politician on his journey to Kyiv on a special train.

Scholz was accompanied by French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.

"But we don't just want to demonstrate solidarity, we also want to assure that the help we organize, financial, humanitarian, but also when it comes to weapons, will be continued," added Scholz.

Support will continue for as long as is necessary for Ukraine's struggle for independence.

At the same time, it will be made clear once again that the sanctions imposed on Russia are of great importance.

“Because they contribute to the chance that Russia will give up its plan and withdraw its troops again.

Because that's the goal," emphasized Scholz.

Meeting with Zelenskyj planned

Scholz, Macron and Draghi want to talk to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about further support for the country attacked by Russia and about Ukraine's desire to join the EU.

Scholz has always emphasized that he will only travel to Kyiv if there are specific things to discuss.

Zelenskyj demands the delivery of more heavy weapons and that the EU agrees to Ukraine's candidacy for membership at its summit in Brussels next week.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis is said to have joined the tour group in Kiev, but he wanted to take a different route.

Since mid-March, numerous heads of state and government have traveled to Ukraine, which has now been defending itself against attacks by Russian forces for almost four months.

However, this visit is undoubtedly the most important: Scholz, Macron and Draghi represent the three most populous and economically strong EU countries.

All three states belong to the G7, in which democratic economic powers have come together.

Germany currently chairs this group, and France holds the EU presidency.

Selenskyj had already invited Scholz to Kyiv weeks ago.

At first, however, there was resentment because of the short-term cancellation of a trip by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier from the Ukrainian side.

After the irritations had been cleared up, Scholz pointed out that such a trip was not about symbols, but about content: "I will not join a group of people who do something for a short in and out with a photo shoot .

But if, then it's always about very concrete things."

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A number of his ministers were in Ukraine before him: Annalena Baerbock (external, Greens), Svenja Schulze (development, SPD) and most recently Karl Lauterbach (health, SPD) and Cem Özdemir (agriculture, Greens).

Parliament President Bärbel Bas (SPD) and opposition leader Friedrich Merz (CDU) also visited Kyiv.

Trip had been planned for some time

The trip of the three heads of state and government had been planned for some time.

Despite some media reports, it was not confirmed until recently for security reasons.

Scholz flew to southern Poland on Wednesday evening.

The special train with nine wagons left the border town of Przemysl towards Kyiv shortly before midnight.

The airspace is closed because of the war.

Even for presidents and heads of government, the only way is overland.

Many war refugees entered the EU via Przemysl - and have been returning this way for some time now.

dpa