08/25/2025August 25, 2025
Germany’s Klingbeil visits Ukraine to discuss peace guarentees
German Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil reiterated Germany’s support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion.
Upon arriving in Kyiv for an unannounced visit, Klingbeil made comments suggesting that he will likely discuss key security guarantees for Ukraine to end the war, which has raged on for over three years.
“It is about Ukrainian, but also European security,” he said, emphasizing the need for “reliable security guarantees that ensure lasting peace for Ukraine.”
The vice chancellor also said that Berlin is consulting closely with its international partners on this issue and that Germany will fulfill its responsibilities.
“Putin should have no illusions that Germany’s support for Ukraine could crumble,” said Klingbeil. “On the contrary: We remain Ukraine’s second-largest supporter worldwide and the largest in Europe. Ukraine can continue to rely on Germany.”
The vice chancellor’s comments followed a round of peace talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska that did not yield any results.
Over the weekend, US Vice President JD Vance said that significant progress had been made in negotiations with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, adding that Moscow was willing to make substantial concessions.
However, the talks were widely criticized as Ukraine was not a party to them.
On Monday, Klingbeil urged Putin to demonstrate an interest in peace and emphasized the need for Ukraine’s involvement in the talks. He called for a ceasefire and reliable security guarantees for lasting peace.
“To this end, we are coordinating closely internationally. Germany will fulfil its responsibilities,” he said.
Klingbeil plans to meet representatives of the Ukrainian government, parliament and civil society during this visit.
