German Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck made a surprising visit to Kyiv on Thursday to discuss post-war reconstruction and express solidarity with Ukraine after Russian attacks on critical Ukrainian infrastructure. During his visit, Habeck emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine in its fight for freedom, stating that the country is defending the values that define Europe.
Accompanied by a business delegation, Habeck will hold talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky and meet with Ukrainian officials to discuss emergency aid, business ties, and preparations for the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin. The German economy ministry has highlighted the need for comprehensive support for Ukraine, including assistance with resilient energy supply and reconstruction efforts, with an emphasis on private sector investment.
In addition to Germany’s support, Rheinmetall, a German defense giant, has announced plans to build an ammunition plant in Lithuania and set up factories in Ukraine to provide much-needed ammunition for the country to confront the Russian invasion. The World Bank estimates that the total cost of reconstruction in Ukraine, two years after the start of the war, is at least $486 billion. This underscores the scale of the challenges facing Ukraine and the importance of international support in its recovery efforts.