German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul visited Ukraine on Saturday just days before the country marks the 35th anniversary of its independence, as Russia steps up its military assault on the country.
After arriving by special train at Kiev's main railway station, Wadephul condemned Russia's escalating drone and missile strikes, accusing Moscow of the "indiscriminate murder of civilians" and the deliberate destruction of energy infrastructure.
The visit comes days after 16 people were killed in Russian missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital, and one day after a separate attack on a shopping centre in President Volodymyr Zelensky's home city of Kryvyi Rih left at least 16 dead and 130 hurt.
Air raid alerts sounded in Kiev during an event attended by Zelensky and Wadephul as Russia launched a ballistic missile attack on the nearby city of Boryspil, home to the international airport that has been closed since the start of the war.
According to reports from the Ukrainian Air Force, at least three missiles were fired on the city, which lies just under 30 kilometres east of the capital.
Wadephul said Russia was trying to destroy the livelihoods of the Ukrainian population and break their will to resist.
The months of July and August have been the deadliest for the Ukrainian civilian population in more than four years, he said.
"Never before has Russia fired more missiles at its neighbouring country," Wadephul said. "We see the suffering, we see how this country has struggled, and we will continue to support this country."
"We stand on Ukraine's side," he added. "It will win this military confrontation."
The German foreign minister pledged further support for Ukraine as it prepares for a fifth winter of war since Russia's invasion in February 2022, with further attacks on its energy infrastructure expected.
"No country invests as much in military and financial support for Ukraine as Germany," Wadephul said, expressing hope that Russia could be brought to the negotiating table even as diplomatic efforts have stalled.
Ukraine has stepped up its assault on Russia's oil facilities and logistics centres this year, aiming to damage Moscow's war economy with drone strikes deep in the Russian interior.
However, a shortage of air defence systems such as Patriot missiles has left the country vulnerable to Russian missile strikes, leading Zelensky to plead for more support from Ukraine's Western partners.
Wadephul said he was in discussions with both European and non-European counterparts regarding further support for Ukraine in the form of air defence systems.
He also said he wants to speak with his US counterpart Marco Rubio about reviving diplomatic efforts to end the war.
"I am counting on the US remaining willing to play an active role here too in the negotiations with Ukraine," he said. "But I also believe it was right for us Europeans to come together within the E3 framework in the first half of this year."
The E3 format brings together Germany, France and the United Kingdom.
"I believe we need to be prepared to take an unconventional approach," Wadephul continued. "We must try every possible means to initiate talks. At present, this is being thwarted by Moscow."
The visit was Wadephul's fourth to Ukraine since taking office 16 months ago. His itinerary was not announced publicly in advance for security reasons, as is customary.
He earlier visited the national memorial to the fallen on the Maidan with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha.
"It is becoming clear to more and more people in Russia that Ukraine, with international support, has the staying power, and that a continuation of the war will only lead Russia further into economic ruin," said Wadephul.
"The increasingly confused propaganda and ever more totalitarian repression at home are also a sign of the regime's weakness."
Monday marks 35 years since Ukraine gained independence from the Soviet Union. Celebrations to mark the anniversary are taking place mainly in the capital, Kiev.
