German Defence Minister Arrives in Kyiv
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has arrived in Kyiv in the early morning of 21 November on an unannounced visit.
According to DW, citing AFP, the programme of the visit includes meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Defence Minister Rustem Umierov, laying wreaths on Independence Square, where pro-European protests began ten years ago, and visiting a Ukrainian military training centre.
#EIL
— Julian Röpcke🇺🇦 (@JulianRoepcke) November 21, 2023
Um exakt 5:00 Uhr Ortszeit ist Bundesverteidigungsminister Boris #Pistorius heute Morgen zu seinem zweiten Amtsbesuch in Kiew eingetroffen. @BILD pic.twitter.com/NjtpT0gr81
The German Defence Ministry explained the purpose of the trip as reaffirming Germany's support for Ukraine.
The key topics of the meetings include training for Ukrainian soldiers and military aid to Kyiv.
This is Pistorius' second visit to Kyiv since assuming office as Germany's Defence Minister in January. The last time he visited Ukraine was in February.
The German Ministry of Defence later reported that Pistorius traveled to Ukraine "to personally assess the current situation and the effectiveness of Germany's support."
He laid flowers at the memorial in Kyiv in memory of the heroes of Maidan.
#EIL
— Julian Röpcke🇺🇦 (@JulianRoepcke) November 21, 2023
Um exakt 5:00 Uhr Ortszeit ist Bundesverteidigungsminister Boris #Pistorius heute Morgen zu seinem zweiten Amtsbesuch in Kiew eingetroffen. @BILD pic.twitter.com/NjtpT0gr81
On 20 November, Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin visited Kyiv. The official assured Kyiv that the US would maintain its support for Ukraine.