Merz's government formed: Who takes key positions for Ukraine
Photo: Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany (Getty Images)
In Germany, the formation of the new government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been completed. The ministers have taken the oath, Spiegel reports.
Seventeen ministers arrived at Bellevue Palace (the residence of the President of Germany), where President Frank-Walter Steinmeier presented them with their certificates of appointment.
They then returned to the Bundestag to take the oath.
The following individuals have been appointed to new positions:
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Lars Klingbeil (Vice Chancellor and Minister of Finance)
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Katherina Reiche (Minister of Economics)
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Johann Wadephul (Minister of Foreign Affairs)
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Boris Pistorius (Minister of Defense)
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Alexander Dobrindt (Minister of the Interior)
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Bärbel Bas (Minister of Labor)
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Patrick Schnieder (Minister of Transport)
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Nina Warken (Minister of Health)
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Verena Hubertz (Minister of Construction)
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Dorothy Bär (Minister for Research)
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Karin Prien (Minister of Education and Family Affairs)
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Karsten Wildberger (Minister for Digital Affairs and Government Modernization)
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Alois Rainer (Minister of Agriculture)
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Stefanie Hubig (Minister of Justice)
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Carsten Schneider (Minister for the Environment)
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Reem Alabali-Radovan (Minister for Development Cooperation)
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Thorsten Frei (Federal Minister for Special Affairs)
It is important to note that the most significant appointments for Ukraine are the new Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Defense.
Johann Wadephul
Johann Wadephul, who has taken the position of head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, openly supports Ukraine in its war against Russia. In particular, he has already spoken with Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha.
The two sides discussed continued support for Ukraine from Germany under the government of Merz. Wadephul assured that Germany's assistance to Ukraine would be strengthened, though he did not specify how.
Boris Pistorius
Boris Pistorius held the position of Minister of Defense in Olaf Scholz's government. He also supports Ukraine and has visited our country several times on official trips.
Under Pistorius, Ukraine received three Patriot air defense systems, Leopard 2 tanks, and many other important military supplies from Germany.
For more details on what Ukraine can expect from Merz, see the material by RBC-Ukraine.
