Ukraine and Germany: Priorities for cooperation
German-Ukrainian relations have intensified since the beginning of Russia's full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine. In a dynamically changing war situation, the question of current priorities in the wider context of the bilateral partnership arises, also with a view to the winter months.
Against this background, IEP, in cooperation with the New Europe Center (NEC, Kyiv), organised the second German-Ukrainian Breakfast Debate on the 4th of December 2023 in Kyiv. Under the title "Ukraine and Germany: Priorities for Cooperation" the event was opened by the director of the NEC, Alyona Getmanchuk, and the director of IEP, Prof Dr Funda Tekin. The discussion was moderated by Sergiy Solodkyy (NEC). Speakers Dr Tim Prange, Deputy German Ambassador in Kyiv, and Thomas Lenk, Head of Division Ukraine, Moldova, Black Sea Cooperation, Federal Foreign Office, Berlin, discussed current developments and key challenges with the guests.
These included the urgently needed winter defence shield for Ukraine's infrastructure, the budget gaps in both countries and the German government's failure to take a decision on the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles. According to a study by the Körber Foundation, 66 per cent of the German population support military aid for Ukraine. The negotiation of a bilateral security agreement would be an important signal for Ukraine on its way into the Euro-Atlantic community. In order to effectively implement reforms in the course of the EU accession negotiations, support for Ukrainian civil society and a roadmap with concrete measures in key areas such as the judiciary and the fight against corruption would be needed.
The German-Ukrainian Breakfast Debates are part of the "UA Transformation Lab" project, which is funded by the Federal Foreign Office. The events in Kyiv are being organised under the patronage of the German Ambassador to Ukraine, Martin Jäger.
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