Kiev, 14 January 2025 (dpa/MIA) - German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius was in Kiev for talks with the Ukrainian government on Tuesday, in a visit which had not been previously announced for security reasons.

Upon arrival, Pistorius said that he wanted to discuss further aid and get an idea of the military situation.

"It is important to me to show with this trip that we continue to actively support Ukraine," Pistorius told dpa in Kiev. "It is a signal that Germany, as the largest NATO country in Europe, is standing by Ukraine."

His trip comes less than a week before Donald Trump returns to the White House, casting doubt about future US military assistance for Ukraine as the full-blown Russian invasion nears it fourth year.

Pistorius had discussed European aid to Ukraine with his counterparts from Poland, France, Italy and Britain in Warsaw on Monday evening.

With the threat of US support wavering under Trump, Berlin is eager to help spearhead efforts to strengthen Ukraine's domestic arms industry together with the four major European partners, the German defence minister said in the Polish capital.

"If the money is there, if the arms production capacity is there, then Ukraine itself will be the fastest to supply its own troops with material and weapons," said Pistorius in Poland.

Photo: dpa