German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has assured Ukraine of Germany's continued support in its war against Russia, marking the 35th anniversary of the country's independence. "We stand firmly by Ukraine's side," Merz said on Monday in a video published on the online platform X.
He said Ukrainian men and women had for years been defending "the independence of their country against the brutal Russian war of aggression" with "impressive courage." In doing so, they were showing "the entire world what it means to stand up for freedom and for a just peace."
To mark Independence Day, Merz and other heads of state and government of the so-called Coalition of the Willing are holding talks on Monday about further support for Ukraine. According to an EU official, around ten participants are travelling to Kyiv for the meeting, among them European Council President António Costa and the new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Merz and other participants are joining by video link.
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