KIEV: German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock promised Ukraine help with removing mines from conflict zones in her second visit to the country since the Russian invasion in February.
Her presence in the country is intended to show “that we will continue to stand by Ukraine as long as it takes – with the delivery of weapons, as well as humanitarian support,” Baerbock said.
During a visit to a minefield in Velyka Dymerka near Kiev, Baerbock said de-mining was important to make the lives of people safer in the contested areas. Baerbock accused the Russian army of “contaminating” the suburbs of Kiev with mines and deliberately using anti-personnel mines to kill civilians. Such devices had been found in children’s toys in private houses, she said.
Baerbock did not reveal whether she would promise more weapons during her visit.
The politician travelled to Kiev from Poland overnight on a special train with a small delegation. The airspace over Ukraine has been closed since the beginning of the war.
Baerbock is scheduled to hold talks with Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and other officials later. — dpa
