Schallenberg in Kiev – Ukraine: Preparation for the second winter of the war

The air raid siren in the Ukrainian capital went off at four in the morning, just as the EU foreign ministers were on their way to Kiev. The message of the historic meeting is that aid to the country attacked by Russia is unwavering.

Ukraine’s second harsh and dark winter of war is approaching and increasing airstrikes are expected to overwhelm defenses. As well as targeted attacks on critical infrastructure. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called for a winter protection umbrella with more air defense and a strengthening of energy supplies. People in Ukraine are preparing for brutal months, even if they are better prepared than last year, it is emphasized. Private households as well as restaurants and shops have taken precautions with generators and radiant heaters.

Covid disease and a forgotten passport
Not all foreign ministers attended the meeting in Kiev. The Polish colleague stayed at home – officially because he was sick with Covid-19. But no one really wanted to take that away from him; insiders suspect that the reason for his absence was the grain dispute between Poland and Ukraine that had been simmering for weeks. After the EU allowed import restrictions on Ukrainian grain to expire, Poland maintains the import ban. Ukraine then threatened to sue, and Poland responded by limiting military aid.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström had very different concerns on Monday morning: he had forgotten his passport and was not allowed to enter the country.

Tug of war over the presidential election
It is not just the conflicts between Poland and Ukraine, the EU also has a conflict with Kiev. Namely in the field of elections. Ukraine would normally hold parliamentary elections in the fall and presidential elections next spring. But the war makes voting extremely difficult. There is now a heated debate about whether postponing the elections would be justified. “Not until the next day,” Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg explains.

Europe insists on holding elections; democracy demands that. In Ukraine things are different. President Volodymyr Zelensky is taking it easy, saying that elections are expensive and that he does not want to withdraw money from the army. Renowned journalist Denis Trubetskoy is clearer: “Anyone who calls for elections during war is acting irresponsibly, impudently and does not know what he is talking about.” Martial law effectively bans elections, although this could be changed, they say.

Solidarity and encouragement for further reforms
During the Council of Foreign Ministers, participants showed no sign of difference of opinion. The visit was a strong sign of solidarity, but also an encouragement for further reforms, said Alexander Schallenberg.