Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks in Kiev on Tuesday with the president of Germany’s upper parliamentary chamber, the Bundesrat.
During their hour-long discussion, Manuela Schwesig spoke in favour of Ukraine joining the European Union.
The meeting took place just before the official start of Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations in Luxembourg on Tuesday.
In addition to her role in the Bundesrat, Schwesig is also the premier of the northern German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
The Bundesrat represents Germany’s 16 federal states at the national level.
“This is an important day for Ukraine, but also for the European Union.
“The states (of Germany) support this accession,’’ said Schwesig afterwards.
The talks also covered the economy, regional partnerships and military support for Ukraine.
Zelensky expressly thanked the German government for its help, said Schwesig, a member of the centre-left Social Democrats.
She said that the Ukrainian armed forces must now be further supported, particularly with additional air defence systems.
A Patriot missile system currently stationed in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern for training purposes is to be delivered shortly.
“It is now important that it arrives in Ukraine to further protect the population from Russian attacks.
“This is urgently needed now,’’ said Schwesig.
Schwesig announced a German-Ukrainian economic conference in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in the autumn.
The main focus would be on cooperation with her state’s partner region of Chernihiv, north of Kiev, which borders Russia and Belarus.
Schwesig has been president of Germany’s Bundesrat since November 2023, making her the fourth-highest state office holder in Germany.
She is the first head of the upper house of parliament to visit Ukraine.
She had already met with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Parliament Speaker Rusland Stefanchuk and Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko on Monday. (dpa/ NAN).
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