German defense minister arrives in Kyiv to discuss Ukraine aid

Editor’s note: The story is being updated.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius arrived in Kyiv on Jan. 14 to discuss further military Ukraine as it resists Russian aggression, Deutsche Welle reported.

“It is important for me to show with this trip that we continue to actively support Ukraine. This is a signal that Germany, as the largest NATO country in Europe, stands by Ukraine’s side,” Pistorius was quoted as saying by German dpa news agency in Kyiv.

According to Deutsche Welle, the German defense minister held talks in Warsaw on Jan. 13 with his counterparts from Poland, France, Italy, and the U.K. on further aid to Kyiv.

“(Ukraine is) not alone, but together with five countries and many other allies," he said.

Under German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s leadership, Germany has become Ukraine’s second-largest military donor after the U.S. The chancellor has nevertheless often been criticized for his cautious approach to some key issues, such as his refusal to provide Taurus long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine.

Fico invited Zelensky to Slovakia to discuss gas transit via Ukraine; Zelensky responds

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said he would like to hold a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Slovakia near the border with Ukraine “as soon as possible.” “Okay. Come to Kyiv on Friday,” Zelensky responded.

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova