German coalition leaders from CDU/CSU and SPD arrive in Kyiv for first time - media
The leaders of the two coalition factions of the Bundestag - Jens Spahn from the Christian Democratic Union and the Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) bloc and Matthias Miersch from the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) – have arrived in Kyiv for the first time on Monday, September 1.
According to Deutsche Welle, in Kyiv they plan to hold talks on Germany's continued support for Ukraine and diplomatic efforts to end the war.
"Matthias Miersch and I are here to send a clear signal: the government factions of the CDU/CSU and the SPD stand now and in the future on the side of Ukraine, the brave Ukrainians who are defending their homeland, their country, and also Europe," Spahn said during a conversation with journalists after arriving in Kyiv.
Answering a DW journalist's question about security guarantees for Ukraine, in particular the possibility of deploying a contingent, he stressed that the best guarantee is a well-equipped Ukrainian army. "The first and most important guarantee of security for Ukraine is the Ukrainian army. First of all, we want to equip it as well as possible," Spahn said.
Mirsch also emphasized this. At the same time, German politicians avoid specifics on the issue of the possible deployment of Bundeswehr soldiers in Ukraine, although they do not rule out such an option.
"First of all, it was planned to arm and equip the Ukrainian army, provide it with constant support, and then, together with the Americans, provide Ukraine with security guarantees. There are many options, what exactly and how, this will be discussed during the negotiations," Spahn pointed out.
On August 25, German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil visited Kyiv, promising that the German government would allocate EUR 9 billion annually to support Ukraine. He also said that Germany was ready to contribute to security guarantees for Ukraine. However, Klingbeil did not answer the question about the participation of the Bundeswehr in a possible mission. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul had previously stated that Germany would not deploy a military contingent in Ukraine.
