German FM visits Kyiv to reaffirm support amid intense Russian attacks

On June 30, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul arrived in Kyiv for a solidarity visit following a weekend of the most intense Russian air attacks since the start of the war in Ukraine.

Wadephul, a member of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s CDU party, said upon arrival that “the freedom and future of Ukraine” remain the top priority of Germany’s foreign and security policy, Caliber.Az reports, citing German media.

The visit, kept secret for security reasons, includes talks with Ukrainian government officials, with details withheld ahead of time.

The weekend saw Kyiv report 533 Russian missile strikes, including 60 ballistic missiles and hundreds of drones and decoys aimed at overwhelming Ukraine’s air defences.

Ukrainian forces shot down nearly half of the incoming missiles. Civilian casualties were reported in several regions, including Kherson, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed his call for enhanced air defence capabilities, including U.S.-supplied Patriot missile systems capable of intercepting ballistic threats.

Germany and the UK are collaborating within an international contact group to fund additional systems, as Berlin has already supplied three Patriot batteries to Ukraine and has no further reserves.

The Russian strikes coincided with a renewed offensive on multiple fronts, including attempts to advance in eastern regions such as Donetsk and Sumy.

Wadephul condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s campaign as “brutal bombing terror” aimed at subjugating Ukraine. He reiterated Germany’s commitment to supporting Ukraine with military, humanitarian, and economic aid.

Putin recently indicated readiness to resume talks in Istanbul, but no substantive progress has been made beyond prisoner exchanges, with the Kremlin maintaining maximal demands regarded as tantamount to Ukrainian surrender.

Zelenskyy, in his evening address, called for increased sanctions, urging international partners to continue efforts to restrict Russia’s ability to finance the war.

The German delegation included senior representatives from the defence industry, who are expected to hold discussions with Ukrainian officials during the visit.

By Aghakazim Guliyev