German Economy Minister Vows to Boost Energy and Defence Aid to Ukraine

German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche arrived in Kyiv on Friday to discuss how Berlin can provide more "concrete and better support" to Ukraine as the country faces intensifying Russian attacks on its energy grid ahead of a fourth wartime winter.

Reiche stated that Russia is deliberately targeting Ukraine's civilian population and emphasized the urgent need to maintain and repair critical energy infrastructure to ensure the provision of electricity and heating. In addition to focusing on energy security, the three-day trip will also seek to boost defence cooperation between the two nations. Germany is already Kyiv's second-biggest military backer after the United States. Reiche praised Ukraine's "impressively resilient country" and said Germany could learn from its experiences.

The visit coincides with a summit in London where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to call on European allies to deliver more long-range missiles.