German foreign minister visits Ukraine for talks on defense cooperation, winter preparations

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul arrived in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv on Saturday for talks on defense cooperation and winter preparations.

A press release by Germany’s Federal Foreign Office said that Wadephul traveled to Ukraine to mark the 35th anniversary of the country’s independence, which is celebrated on Aug. 24.

The statement said a key focus of the visit is preparations for the coming winter, including providing generators and other energy equipment, as well as supporting Ukraine’s energy sector and implementing measures to protect critical infrastructure.

Describing Ukraine as an “important security partner,” the statement said Germany can learn from Ukraine’s experience in “dealing with hybrid threats, modern warfare, and the resilience of state and societal structures.”

“Therefore, the visit will focus equally on deepening security and defense cooperation with Ukraine – particularly in strengthening military capabilities, exchanging experiences, and jointly building long-term security structures,” it added.