German President Arrives In Kyiv for Surprise Visit

 
INA-sources
 
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived in Kyiv on Tuesday, his spokesperson told AFP, confirming his surprise visit to Ukraine.
 
The trip is his first to the country since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, and came five months after Steinmeier, then under heavy fire for his years-long detente policy with Moscow, was snubbed by Kyiv.
 
The president also had to abort a trip at the last minute last week over security reasons, sparking criticisms from Germany's opposition.
 
"I am looking forward to my meeting with (Ukrainian) President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv," he said, according to a confirmation sent by his spokeswoman.
 
Before meeting Zelensky, Steinmeier will visit a town in the north of the country, near the Belarusian border, which Ukraine says has been liberated from Russian troops but left with its infrastructure destroyed.
 
Steinmeier will provide aid to the municipality for its energy infrastructure, he said.
 
"My message to Ukrainians: you can count on Germany", Steinmeier said.
 
 
Source: AFP