German defense minister makes surprise visit to Kyiv

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Tuesday, focusing on evaluating the effectiveness of German support in Ukraine's war against Russia, media reported.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.

Photo: PAP/Christophe Gateau/dpa

The German Ministry of Defense said that Pistorius aimed to personally assess the situation.

During his visit, coinciding with Ukraine's Day of Dignity and Freedom, Pistorius paid tribute to the Heroes of the Maidan at a memorial in the Ukrainian capital, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

Minister #Pistorius ist in die #Ukraine gereist, um sich persönlich ein Bild von der aktuellen Lage und der Wirksamkeit der 🇩🇪 Unterstützung zu machen. Zu Beginn seines Besuchs hat er in Erinnerung an die Helden des #Maidan Blumen an der Gedenkstätte in #Kiew niedergelegt. pic.twitter.com/BwGTqNjQCc

— Verteidigungsministerium (@BMVg_Bundeswehr) November 21, 2023

The visit includes meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Defense Minister Rust Umerov, following Monday's trip to Kyiv by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Address by the President of Ukraine on the occasion of the Day of Dignity and Freedom https://t.co/3lmkFjXHaI

— Ukrinform-EN (@Ukrinform_News) November 21, 2023

(jh/gs)

Source: PAP, ukrinform.net