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"Zeitenwende: What place does Ukraine have in German foreign policy?" – 10th Germany Breakfast Debate
07/12/2022

New Europe Center Kyiv
New Europe Center Kyiv

The full-scale Russian war of aggression has realigned German-Ukrainian relations. From a partner in the fields of energy and decentralisation, Germany became an ally in security and defence – areas in which critical questions arise.

Expectations for a new orientation of German foreign policy after the "Zeitenwende" are high in Ukraine. The 10th Germany Breakfast Debate offered experts from both countries the opportunity to exchange views on different perceptions and expectations.

Discussions covered the following questions, among others: What is Germany's vision regarding a victory for Ukraine and what is its position on the question of possible negotiations with Russia? What is Germany's role and position on Ukraine's accession to the EU and NATO? And how has Germany's policy towards Russia changed after 24 February 2022?

In addition, the situation of Ukrainian refugees in Germany and the role of strategic communication in bilateral relations were in the focus of discussion. With regard to the latter aspect, it became clear that there is a great need to communicate Germany's support for Ukraine in a better and more target group-oriented way.

"Germany has made a quantum leap in its policy towards Ukraine and Russia after 24 February, but we still need a “Zeitenwende” in the minds of certain politicians, government officials and citizens of Germany," commented one participant at the event.

The 10th Germany Breakfast Discussion took place under the title "Zeitenwende: What place does Ukraine have in German foreign policy?“. The speaker was Anka Feldhusen, Ambassador of Germany to Kyiv. The event was moderated by Alyona Getmanchuk, Director, New Europe Center, Kyiv.

The Germany Breakfast Debates are part of the project "German-Ukrainian Researchers Network" (GURN 2) and are kindly supported by the German Federal Foreign Office.

Team & authors

About the GURN – German Ukrainian Researchers Network project: The cooperation between think tanks and politics are strengthened. GURN focuses on knowledge transfer, capacity building and bilateral dialogue. Current developments and German-Ukrainian relations are discussed in a variety of formats.

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Image copyright: New Europe Center Kyiv, IEP