Germany to join Ukraine security guarantees - Vice Chancellor
Photo: German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil and Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko (Getty Images)
Berlin will participate in providing security guarantees to Ukraine together with its European partners. However, negotiations are at an early stage and must be determined by Kyiv, German Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil says.
"What's important is that, in the end, there are security guarantees that ensure Ukraine is no longer attacked and that Putin no longer dares to attack Ukraine," Klingbeil says during his first visit to Kyiv.
Klingbeil, who is also Germany's Finance Minister, says that to achieve this goal, it is necessary to strengthen the Ukrainian army and increase weapons production in Ukraine.
Klingbeil says that Germany would take responsibility for providing security guarantees, but that decisions should not be made over the heads of Ukrainians and that any negotiation process must begin with a ceasefire.
US President Donald Trump insists on ending the war as soon as possible, but Kyiv and its allies are concerned that he may try to impose a deal on Russia's terms.
"The ball is now in Vladimir Putin's court,” Klingbeil said. "I believe that we still have a very long way to go, because I cannot yet see Vladimir Putin changing his mind, suddenly relenting, suddenly wanting to hold real, serious, sustainable peace talks."
Earlier, Klingbeil said that Putin should have no illusions that Germany's support for Ukraine could waver. According to him, Ukraine can continue to rely on Germany.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said that Ukraine should receive security guarantees that would effectively amount to NATO membership.
