Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s outgoing foreign minister, has paid an unannounced visit to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.
Baerbock arrived by special train on the morning of April 1 for her 11th visit to the country, the ninth since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022. Her visit had been kept confidential due to security concerns.
The acting minister – Baerbock will be leaving office as soon as the new German government is sworn in – used the occasion to deliver some thinly veiled criticism of the ongoing US-led efforts for a ceasefire and subsequent peace treaty spearheaded by US President Donald Trump.
She said she had travelled to Ukraine to show support – which she said was vital “due to the impasse between the USA and Russia”.
“No one wants peace more than the people in Ukraine,” Baerbock said.
“Ukraine is ready for an immediate ceasefire. [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is the one who is playing for time, does not want peace and is continuing his illegal war of aggression. He simulates a willingness to negotiate but does not deviate one millimetre from his goals.”
“We must not allow ourselves to be blinded by Putin and his claqueurs [supporters]. After all, the suggestion of peace is not yet peace,” the 44-year-old Greens politician continued.
Baerbock said that at the upcoming meeting of NATO foreign ministers – set to take place in Brussels on April 3 and 4 – Germany would “make it clear to the American side that we must not get involved in Putin’s stalling tactics”.
She commended the Ukrainian people for “courageously and decisively” defending their independence and democracy during the conflict.
She said Germany would not leave Ukraine alone as the future government – which was expected to comprise the Christian Democratic Union and Social Democratic Party but not the Greens – would continue to “massively” support the country.
On the occasion of her visit, Baerbock announced an additional humanitarian and financial aid package of €130 million for Ukraine.
Since the start of the Russian war with Ukraine, Germany has supported Kyiv with military, financial and humanitarian aid worth €44 billion in total – making it the country’s second-biggest supporter after the US.
After her term as foreign minister ends, Baerbock will take over the post of President of the United Nations’ General Assembly in New York.
The job had originally been promised to German diplomat Helga Schmid. She had spent the last few months preparing for the post, including holding meetings with more than 100 UN ambassadors.
Despite that, after the Greens lost out at the February German federal elections, Baerbock announced in March 2025 that she would take over the presidency herself.
That move has reportedly caused great anger and consternation within the UN community.
