German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul visited Kyiv to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day, highlighting the devastating toll of the ongoing conflict and calling for a renewed push for peace.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul arrived in Kyiv on Saturday morning, marking his fourth visit to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion. The unannounced trip, timed to coincide with Ukraine’s Independence Day, aimed to express Germany’s solidarity with the Ukrainian people amid intensifying attacks. Wadephul met with his Ukrainian counterpart, expressing deep concern over the civilian toll of the conflict and reiterating the importance of a peaceful resolution.

Speaking upon his arrival, Wadephul condemned Russia’s relentless missile and drone strikes, which have made the summer months the deadliest period for Ukrainian civilians in over four years. He described how daily attacks continue to rob ordinary citizens, including women and children, of hope for a future free of fear and devastation. Calling the destruction ‘unimaginable,’ he urged the international community to remain steadfast in its support for Ukraine’s right to peace and autonomy.

Wadephul emphasized the need for continued military aid, including more effective missile defense systems, to counter increasingly advanced Russian attacks. He also noted growing signs of internal tensions within Russia, highlighting ‘disorderly propaganda’ and heightened repression as indicators of a weakening regime. The Foreign Minister concluded with a strong appeal for renewed diplomatic efforts, stating that lasting peace remains the only viable solution for all parties involved.