Surprising trip: Coalition in Kyiv: Spahn and Miersch visit Ukraine

The chairpersons of the two coalition factions, Jens Spahn (CDU/CSU) and Matthias Miersch (SPD), have approved further support in the defense fight against Russia during a surprising visit to Kiev. “The government factions Union and SPD will now and in the future to be at the side of Ukraine, the brave Ukrainians who defend their home, who defend their country and also Europe,” said Spahn after arrival in the Ukrainian capital.

Miersch also emphasized how important he was visiting together. It is a “sign of support and solidarity in these difficult times”. Both spoke in favor of further increasing the pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to push him to the negotiating table. They were open to use the Russian assets frozen in the EU to support Ukraine.

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”

On the train journey to Kiev, 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.

After arriving in Kyiv, the two of the fallen soldiers thought. Other program items were first kept secret for security reasons.

Spahn: “Sign for the determination of the coalition”

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 bumpy start of the government alliance. The trip is “a good sign for Ukraine, but also a good sign of the coalition’s determination,” said Spahn.

The coalition tips are followed by 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”.

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

Spahn and Miersch open to the use of Russian assets

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. The Europeans want to react with new sanctions.

Spahn and Miersch were open to consider the frozen Russian assets. “If someone brutally attacks their neighboring country, wants to shift borders again, murders, rape, (…) Then it must have consequences,” said Spahn. “In this respect, a discussion is needed whether and how these frozen assets can also be used for all legal concerns.” Miersch referred to the ongoing talks between the Europeans about further sanctions against Russia and said: “In this respect, all options are on the table.”

Fat -frozen assets of more than 200 billion euros

According to earlier commission information, around 210 billion euros of the Russian central bank are frozen in the EU, with the majority being kept by the EuroClear financial institution based in Brussels. To use the Russian central bank funds directly by an expropriation decision is skeptically seen by many in the EU. Legal concerns and probable retaliation measures are the reason. In addition, direct use of Russian assets could also lead to other states and investors lose confidence in the European financial center and deduct assets from the EU.