Spahn and Miersch surprisingly together in Ukraine

Surprising journey

Spahn and Miersch surprisingly together in Ukraine

In the past three and a half years of war, numerous top German politicians have traveled to Ukraine to show their solidarity. But there has never been a visit to this as this.

The chairpersons of the two coalition factions, Jens Spahn (CDU/CSU) and Matthias Miersch (SPD), have surprisingly arrived in the Ukraine attacked by Russia. In the capital Kiev, they want to have talks about the further German support of Ukraine and the diplomatic efforts over the end of the war during the day.

The journey together shows that “not only the government is firmly at the side of Ukraine, but also the parliament, the majority in parliament, the coalition factions,” said Spahn on the train journey from Poland to Kiev. “It is a good sign for Ukraine, but also a good sign of the determination of the coalition.”

Miersch described the joint visit as “clear signal of the support of Ukraine”. It is “very crucial that this is a common signal”.

The visit is a novelty: Although members of different coalition parties were together in Kiev, but not at the level of the parliamentary group leader. It is the first visit to the Ukraine for both Spahn and Miersch.

The Bundestag plays a crucial role in supporting the country, which was attacked by Russia three and a half years ago. He approves budget for the support of Ukraine and would have the last word if it were about the posting of German soldiers after a ceasefire. The federal government has not yet positioned itself clearly.

Spahn emphasized that the best security guarantee for Ukraine was a well -equipped Ukrainian army. “No other army can do what the Ukrainian army can do.” That is why it must be equipped as best as possible. A debate about everything that goes beyond is premature. This was also emphasized by Miersch – he also said to a possible posting of Bundeswehr soldiers: “We do not rule out anything.”

Another former issue of Ukraine has now taken the Union and SPD off the table by a vow of silence. The Taurus marching aircraft, which extends from Ukraine to Moscow, is no longer publicly spoken of – as well as other German weapons systems for Ukraine. Reason: they want to leave Russia about it.

Like all foreign visitors, Spahn and Miersch drove from Poland to Kiev because of the blocking of the airspace. On the way, the two visited the airport in Rzeszow Bundeswehr soldiers in Poland who protect the airport with two patriot air defense systems, which is the most important transshipment point for the supply of Ukraine with western weapons. Nowhere else are Bundeswehr soldiers so close to the war. The airfield is about 60 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.