German Economy Minister arrives in Kiev on surprise visit

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
3 Apr 2023 14:46

Germany's Minister of Economy and Energy pays an unexpected visit to Ukraine on Monday, as he plans to discuss the rebuilding process with Ukrainian officials.

Minister and Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck speaks during an interview in his office, 24 February 2022. (AP)

Robert Habeck, Germany's Minister of Economy and Energy, paid a previously unannounced visit to Kiev this Monday morning in order to discuss post-war reconstruction with Ukrainian officials.

A Ministry spokesperson confirmed to AFP that the Minister did arrive in Kiev but refused to give further details due to “security reasons”.

Habeck traveled by train and was accompanied by a small business delegation, as reported by German media. Among those traveling with Habeck was Siegfried Russwurm, the head of the Federation of German Industries (BDI).

He said the trip was "a signal to Ukrainians that the German economy stands by them."

Germany's Bild newspaper reports that Habeck told journalists, after getting off the train, that he is here to signal to Ukraine “that we believe it (Ukraine) will be victorious, that it will be rebuilt."

Habeck believes that war-torn Ukraine will be "an economically strong partner in the future."

Habeck previously visited Ukraine in May 2021 and declared his support for sending more arms to the country. Other German government officials have also made trips to the Ukrainian capital, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

World Bank estimates suggest that a reconstruction process in Ukraine will require at least $411 billion, with the transport, energy, and housing sectors have been identified as the most affected by the war.