On July 11, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy will pay a visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, where he will meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel. This was announced by the newly appointed Press Secretary of the President Serhiy Nykyforov at a briefing on Friday.
"On July 11, the President flies to Germany. Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier," Serhiy Nykyforov said.
According to him, the parties will discuss the increase of Germany's role in the Normandy format and in establishing peace in Donbas.
"Volodymyr Zelenskyy, of course, will emphasize the importance of terminating the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. He has arguments that should convince that this pipeline is detrimental to both Ukraine and European countries," Serhiy Nykyforov stressed.
The President's spokesman also noted that Ukraine expects the participation of high-level German representatives in the inaugural summit of the Crimean Platform, which is scheduled for August 23.
In addition, according to Serhiy Nykyforov, the agenda of the leaders' talks includes the issue of deoccupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, energy security, reform of the coal industry, energy efficiency, as well as economic cooperation between Ukraine and Germany.
"After all, Germany is one of Ukraine's key partners in the world and the first partner in Europe in terms of trade turnover. According to the data of 2020, it amounted to USD 8.5 billion. This is against the backdrop of COVID-19 and the problems associated with it," he added.