The Berlin meetings prioritized securing stronger German backing for Ukraine as it battles for European security. This push aligns with Poland’s clear interests, said European Affairs Minister Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk on Monday.
The Polish minister held talks in Berlin with key German leaders, including Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, among others, emphasizing the shared goal of boosting Ukraine’s defense and regional stability.
Meeting in the Bundestag
Szynkowski vel Sęk attended the reopening of a venue formerly known as Cafe Moskva, which has been renamed Cafe Kijów. The minister also planned discussions with members of the Polish-German parliamentary group in the Bundestag. Further talks were scheduled for Tuesday at the Chancellery.
The core message during these engagements was a call for stronger German support for Ukraine, which is currently defending European security. The minister underscored that this support serves Poland and Europe’s broader strategic interests.
He highlighted that Poland’s recent efforts have helped build a coalition prepared to transfer Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, a development that reflects a broader alliance in motion. Poland has already delivered the first tanks to Kyiv and continues to advocate for additional commitments from partners to expedite such transfers.
Poland aims to maintain momentum by persuading partners to declare readiness, provide specific equipment, and speed up the handover process to Ukraine, the minister noted. He also called for rapid progress in moving equipment to the frontlines and ensuring timely delivery to Ukraine.
The talks also touched on Ukraine’s EU aspirations. Szynkowski vel Sęk met with German European Affairs Minister Anna Lührmann and discussed concrete steps to help Ukraine join the EU as soon as possible. He indicated that several follow-up meetings had been scheduled, including a potential European affairs ministers gathering within the Weimar Triangle (Poland, Germany, France).
We would like to host such a meeting around the middle of the year, Szynkowski vel Sęk remarked, outlining the desire for continued coordination on Europe-wide priorities.
According to the minister, the Berlin talks also covered the broader European agenda, including the upcoming European Council meeting in March and the ongoing sanctions on Russia. The discussion included the possibility of extending the decision-making window for sanctions from six months to a full year, a principle he stated clearly to enable longer-term policy actions.
More support from Germany?
Asked where Germany could increase aid to Ukraine, Szynkowski vel Sęk said that direct military assistance had gained momentum recently and that German partners had shown faster, more decisive action. Still, there was a clear call for more. In addition to tanks, there should be shipments of other military equipment and ammunition, and ensuring maintenance for already delivered tanks is crucial to keep Ukraine’s forces well-supported on the ground.
The minister also stressed the importance of Germany’s ongoing political backing for Ukraine on its path toward EU membership. Ukraine has been making notable progress toward EU integration, he noted, with preliminary assessments from the European Commission indicating rapid advancement relative to other candidate countries. Ukraine remains under heavy bombardment while pursuing this goal.
That assessment was shared as the Polish delegation wrapped up its discussions, underscoring a shared belief that continued German engagement will be pivotal for Kyiv and for the wider European security framework.
gah/PAP
Source: wPolityce