Russischer Angriffskrieg: Wadephul in Kiew: Ukraine wird gewinnen

As Germany prepares to mark its 35th Independence Day, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul arrived in Kiev to assure the country of Germany's continued support in its defense against Russia. Speaking after his arrival via a special train, Wadephul pledged his country's backing, stating unequivocally that Ukraine will emerge victorious in the ongoing military conflict.

He emphasized the severity of Russia's attacks during the summer months, which targeted the nation's infrastructure and resulted in the deadliest period for Ukrainian civilians in over four years. Wadephul condemned Russia's indiscriminate killing of civilians and the systematic destruction of Ukraine's energy infrastructure, warning that the latter aimed to break the resolve of the Ukrainian people.

He observed that Russia had fired more rockets at its neighboring country than ever before, and expressed deep concern over the suffering of the Ukrainian populace. Despite the immense suffering, Wadephul affirmed that Germany remains committed to providing further assistance, particularly as winter approaches and heightened attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure are anticipated.

Germany, which invests substantially in military and financial support for Ukraine, hopes that the country's military pressure will compel negotiations. Diplomatic efforts to end the war have stalled recently, with Wadephul asserting that the Ukrainian people are stronger with international support and that prolonging the conflict will only lead Russia into further economic ruin.

Wadephul's fourth visit to Ukraine since his 16-month tenure highlights the gravity of the situation, with no public announcement of his visit due to security concerns. His agenda in Kiev, focused on discussions with Ukrainian leadership, stands in stark contrast to the usual transparent communication. As Ukraine has endured a brutal four-and-a-half-year Russian invasion, the front line stretching over 1,200 kilometers remains largely static, yet both sides are intensifying their air attacks on enemy-held territories.

Ukrainian drone strikes are creating fuel shortages in Russia, and numerous targets, such as supply depots and armament factories, continue to be hit. On the other hand, Ukrainian forces are largely incapacitated by a lack of defenses against Russian ballistic missile attacks, resulting in significant civilian casualties. Just before Wadephul's arrival, at least 14 people were killed and over a hundred injured in a Russian drone attack on a crowded shopping center in Kryvyi Rih, the regional military administration reported.

President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to his allies, pleading for Patriot anti-missile systems in a video address following massive attacks on Kiev. These systems, while US-made, are widely available globally, and Germany has already supplied Ukraine with such systems.