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Germany's Klingbeil visits Ukraine, vows security guarantees

Mahima Kapoor | John Silk with AFP, dpa
August 25, 2025

"As long as this war continues, we will stand by Ukraine's side," said German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil. He also said that Berlin planned to spend €9 billion ($10.5 billion) supporting Kyiv in 2025 and 2026.

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Lars Klingbeil shakes the hand of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Klingbeil said Germany will not duck its responsibility in supporting UkraineImage: Kay Nietfeld/dpa/picture alliance

During a trip to Kyiv on Monday, German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil reiterated Germany's support for Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian invasion.

"In the three and a half years that this war has been going on, we have always shown that we are not ducking away, but stand by the side of the Ukrainians. And that will also apply to security guarantees," said Klingbeil, who is also a co-leader of the center-left Social Democratic Party, (SPD), the junior party in Germany's governing coalition.

It is important to have a "really strong Ukrainian army that is also capable of defense," said Klingbeil, who met with Ukrainian President Volodymy Zelenskyy during his visit.

"And the second thing is that armaments production is also being ramped up here in Ukraine as well, thereby putting Ukraine in a position to defend itself and deter [aggressors]," he added.

German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD, left) commemorates the Ukrainian soldiers who were killed together with Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko
Alongside Ukrainian Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko (right), Klingbeil commemorated the deaths of Ukrainian soldiersImage: Kay Nietfeld/dpa/picture alliance

'Important security guarantees' so 'Putin no longer dares to attack Ukraine'

"The important thing is that there are security guarantees in the end that mean Ukraine is no longer attacked and that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin no longer dares to attack Ukraine," said Klingbeil.

Klingbeil's unannounced visit came amid Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, which appears no closer to a ceasefire despite promises of an imminent conclusion coming from the United States.

"It is about Ukrainian, but also European security," Klingbeil said, emphasizing the need for "reliable security guarantees that ensure lasting peace for Ukraine." 

He also said Berlin is consulting closely with its international partners on this issue.

"Putin should have no illusions that Germany's support for Ukraine could crumble," said Klingbeil. "On the contrary: We remain Ukraine's second-largest supporter worldwide and the largest in Europe. Ukraine can continue to rely on Germany."

Germany promises continued financial support to Ukraine

After Alaska talks, is a ceasefire in Ukraine likely?

The vice chancellor's comments followed a round of peace talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska that did not yield any results. 

Over the weekend, US Vice President JD Vance said significant progress had been made in negotiations with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, claiming that Moscow was willing to make substantial concessions.

On Monday, Klingbeil urged Putin to demonstrate an interest in peace and emphasized the need for Ukraine's involvement in future talks after being shunned for the Alaska summit. Klingbeil also called for a ceasefire in Ukraine. 

Edited by: Wesley Dockery