Surprising trip: Spahn and Miersch surprisingly together in Ukraine

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”.

First Ukraine visit in this format

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.

Miersch to Bundeswehr deployment: “We don’t rule out anything”

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.

Visit to German soldiers on the way to Kyiv

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.

The journey together is not only a signal to Ukraine, but also to your own parties and the German public. Spahn and Miersch want to show that the Union and SPD are pulling together after the coalition’s bumpy start. In doing so, they follow the joint closed conference of the two parliamentary groups at the end of last week, in which a restart of black and red was celebrated. At the end of the conference, Miersch had said that something had “grown” between him and Spahn, and you could “really get something good together”.

Spahn: “It’s Putin who wants war”

In Würzburg, the coalition tips had highlighted the importance of the Ukraine war for the security of Europe. “We will do anything so that Ukraine can defend itself against Russia and negotiate from a position of the strength,” said the parliamentary tips.

The hope of serious negotiations has disappeared in the past two weeks since the meeting of US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The prospect of Putin and Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj did not come about. A reaction of the Europeans is expected for the next few days. How Trump will deal with the situation is still open.

Spahn also wants the visit to be understood as a signal to Putin. “It is Putin who wants war who doesn’t want peace,” he said on the way to Kiev. If he does not want to get to the negotiating table, Germany is ready to continue to support Ukraine militarily.

Continued massive attacks in Russia on Kyiv

The air strikes on Ukraine have increased again after the Russia USA summit in Alaska-also to the capital Kiev. On Thursday, a residential building on the eastern outskirts was severely destroyed by a rocket – more than 20 people were killed. In addition, two marching aircraft hit a house in the city center. As a result of the explosions, the nearby buildings of the representation of the European Union and the British Cultural Institute British Council were affected.