German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has arrived in Kiev for an unannounced visit to reiterate Berlin’s support for Ukraine. Pistorius arrived by train and is expected to have talks with his Ukrainian counterpart and President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Berlin, the second largest supplier of military equipment to Kiev after the United States, is seeking to offer reassurance after a shift in focus toward war in the Middle East sparked concerns about declining support for Ukraine. The visit comes after an increase in Russian airstrikes and as Kiev prepares for a possible increase in attacks on the country’s energy facilities in the coming months.
It is Pistorius’ second visit to Kiev since becoming defense minister earlier this year, and comes a day after US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made an unannounced trip to Ukraine.
In addition to the political talks, Pistorius will attend a wreath-laying ceremony in Kiev’s Maidan square and visit a military training center. After some initial hesitation, Germany he dramatically increased his support for Ukraine to counter the Russian invasion and delivered to Kiev a wide range of armaments, from heavy tanks to air defense systems and ammunition.