Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha had a meeting with State Secretary of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany Thomas Bagger.
Andrii Sybiha expressed gratitude for Germany’s extensive defense, financial, and humanitarian support of our country, which is highly appreciated by the Ukrainian society.
He mentioned a close political dialogue between the two countries at all levels, as well as the importance of the recent visit of Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany Annalena Baerbock to Ukraine during which she met with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Deputy Head of the Office of the President informed the State Secretary about the situation on the battlefield and Ukrainian defenders’ priority needs, in particular, concerning additional air defense systems, artillery, long-range missiles, and demining equipment.
Andrii Sybiha and Thomas Bagger shared their views about Ukraine’s European integration and changes that our country’s future membership in the EU would entail for Europe.
The Deputy Head of the Office of the President emphasized: “The geopolitical project of united Europe cannot be considered as complete without Ukraine”.
While discussing food security, Andrii Sybiha pointed out that Ukraine would like to continue implementing the Black Sea Grain Initiative by means of using alternative routes. In this respect, he pointed out that it would be important not to extend further currently valid export restrictions for the Ukrainian grain into five countries of the EU after 15 September 2023.
The Deputy Head of the Office of the President informed about the start of negotiations with some of the Ukrainian partners on conclusion of bilateral agreements on security guarantees within the framework of further development of the G7 Joint Declaration of support for Ukraine. An expectation was voiced that practical-level work with Germany concerning conclusion of such agreement would be initiated in the near future.
High-level political dialogue measures for the near future were also discussed during the meeting.