Baerbock on tank deliveries to Ukraine: “I know that time is of the essence”

On her second visit to Kyiv since the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed her shock at the mass of mines in the country. During a visit by deminers to a suburb of the capital, Baerbock said that not only anti-tank mines but also anti-personnel mines had been deliberately laid. The Russian army purposely left these behind to kill civilians. It is therefore important that Ukraine not only receives military aid, but also civil defense support. The federal government, together with the Netherlands, has launched a demining program in Ukraine. Ukrainian soldiers are to be trained by the Bundeswehr to search for and clear mines and to remove booby traps. Baerbock had arrived in the Ukrainian capital in the morning. With her visit, she wanted to show that Ukraine would continue to be supported as long as it was necessary. According to her assessment, Russian President Vladimir Putin is counting on the fact that Germans will eventually tire of sympathizing with the suffering of Ukraine. At a joint press conference with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Baerbock promised Ukraine further military aid. In view of the ongoing counter-offensive, she does not rule out the delivery of Western-style main battle tanks. “As the situation on site changes, we always look at our support and will discuss further steps together with our partners. I know that time is pressing. I can get an impression of it myself here on site The next few weeks and months will be crucial, says Baerbock.