Germany pledges support for post-war reconstruction in Ukraine as Russian attacks continue to target critical infrastructure

German Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck made a surprise visit to Kyiv on Thursday to discuss post-war reconstruction and offer support after Russian attacks on critical Ukrainian infrastructure. During his visit, Habeck emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine in its fight for freedom, stating that the country is fighting for the values that define Europe.

In response to pleas from Kyiv for urgent assistance, Germany recently announced that it would send an additional Patriot air defense system to Ukraine. Habeck, accompanied by a business delegation, will hold talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky and meet with Ukrainian officials to discuss emergency aid, business ties, and preparations for the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin.

The German economy ministry highlighted the need for comprehensive support for Ukraine, including assistance with resilient energy supply and reconstruction efforts, with an emphasis on private sector investment. In addition to Germany’s support, Rheinmetall, a German defense giant, has announced plans to build an ammunition plant in Lithuania and set up factories in Ukraine to provide much-needed ammunition for the country to confront the Russian invasion. The World Bank estimates that the total cost of reconstruction in Ukraine, more than two years after the start of the war, is at least $486 billion. This highlights the scale of the challenges facing Ukraine and the importance of international support in its recovery efforts.