Members of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU held an informal online meeting with colleagues from the Bundesrat’s Committee on European Affairs. The meeting was also attended by Anton Hofreiter, Chairman of the Bundestag’s Committee on European Affairs, and Maria Ionova, Member of the Ukrainian Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation.
Winfried Kretschmann, Chairman of the Bundesrat’s Committee on European Affairs, assured that Germany’s position on supporting Ukraine remains unchanged. “We stand firmly with Ukraine, not with the Russian aggressor,” he stated.
Anton Hofreiter, Chairman of the Bundestag’s Committee on European Affairs, provided an update on the progress of military assistance to Ukraine. The decision by Germany’s democratic political forces on 3 billion euros for 2025 should be approved by the German Parliament next week. The Bundestag also reached an agreement on a review of defence funding, in particular, the lifting of restrictions provided for by the “debt brake”, which will make it easier for Germany to provide military support to Ukraine. German MPs also managed to expand the scope of the support. The “debt brake” will exempt funds not only for military assistance, but also for Germany’s direct defence, including cyber defence and intelligence. “Of course, we hope that the US will remain a reliable partner in the future, but we cannot be sure of this. That is why we need further opportunities. I hope that this will contribute to strengthening cooperation between our intelligence services,” said Anton Hofreiter. He promised to stay committed to increasing assistance to Ukraine. “Please do not thank us for this support, because we only provide money and weapons. Ukrainian soldiers are fighting for our freedom and security. That is why we should thank you. All European countries should thank Ukraine for fighting for all of us,” said the Chair of the Bundestag’s European Affairs Committee.
The members of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU thanked their German colleagues from the Bundestag and the Bundesrat for their support and assistance to Ukraine. Committee Chair Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze highlighted Anton Hofreiter’s long-standing committed support. “I would like to express our most sincere and heartfelt gratitude for the personal efforts of Tony Hofreiter, who has worked with us all these years as Chair of the Bundestag’s European Affairs Committee. We were privileged to receive his support, leadership and balanced assessment of the situation. And I would like to thank him warmly on behalf of Ukrainian MPs,” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.
The Chair of the Committee also thanked the Bundesrat for adopting a resolution in support of Ukraine on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. At the same time, she expressed concerns that the Bundesrat’s unity in support of Ukraine, which has existed for two years, is now waning. “This signals that we must step up our joint efforts to restore unity and strengthen cooperation between all democratic forces that must defend their principles,” stated Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.
She also noted the importance for Ukraine of signing a memorandum with one of the German defence companies on increasing support, including providing Ukraine with air defence missiles. “This will save Ukrainian lives, ensure better protection of the Ukrainian people and our infrastructure from the relentless attacks of Russia,” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze. According to her, the key to ending the war lies in the Kremlin. She is also convinced that denying Ukraine the prospect of NATO membership would be a big mistake for the West. “I hope you agree, colleagues, that the Russian Federation should not have any influence on the decisions you make regarding European security and NATO. Therefore, I urge you to use all possible tools to ensure that Germany does not follow the wishes of Russia, which wants to take away Ukraine’s chance to be part of the transatlantic alliance. Such a decision would serve as an invitation for Russia to continue its aggression,” emphasised the Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU.
Winfried Kretschmann, Chairman of the Bundesrat’s Committee on European Affairs, assured that Germany’s position on supporting Ukraine remains unchanged. “We stand firmly with Ukraine, not with the Russian aggressor,” he stated.
Anton Hofreiter, Chairman of the Bundestag’s Committee on European Affairs, provided an update on the progress of military assistance to Ukraine. The decision by Germany’s democratic political forces on 3 billion euros for 2025 should be approved by the German Parliament next week. The Bundestag also reached an agreement on a review of defence funding, in particular, the lifting of restrictions provided for by the “debt brake”, which will make it easier for Germany to provide military support to Ukraine. German MPs also managed to expand the scope of the support. The “debt brake” will exempt funds not only for military assistance, but also for Germany’s direct defence, including cyber defence and intelligence. “Of course, we hope that the US will remain a reliable partner in the future, but we cannot be sure of this. That is why we need further opportunities. I hope that this will contribute to strengthening cooperation between our intelligence services,” said Anton Hofreiter. He promised to stay committed to increasing assistance to Ukraine. “Please do not thank us for this support, because we only provide money and weapons. Ukrainian soldiers are fighting for our freedom and security. That is why we should thank you. All European countries should thank Ukraine for fighting for all of us,” said the Chair of the Bundestag’s European Affairs Committee.
The members of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU thanked their German colleagues from the Bundestag and the Bundesrat for their support and assistance to Ukraine. Committee Chair Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze highlighted Anton Hofreiter’s long-standing committed support. “I would like to express our most sincere and heartfelt gratitude for the personal efforts of Tony Hofreiter, who has worked with us all these years as Chair of the Bundestag’s European Affairs Committee. We were privileged to receive his support, leadership and balanced assessment of the situation. And I would like to thank him warmly on behalf of Ukrainian MPs,” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.
The Chair of the Committee also thanked the Bundesrat for adopting a resolution in support of Ukraine on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. At the same time, she expressed concerns that the Bundesrat’s unity in support of Ukraine, which has existed for two years, is now waning. “This signals that we must step up our joint efforts to restore unity and strengthen cooperation between all democratic forces that must defend their principles,” stated Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.
She also noted the importance for Ukraine of signing a memorandum with one of the German defence companies on increasing support, including providing Ukraine with air defence missiles. “This will save Ukrainian lives, ensure better protection of the Ukrainian people and our infrastructure from the relentless attacks of Russia,” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze. According to her, the key to ending the war lies in the Kremlin. She is also convinced that denying Ukraine the prospect of NATO membership would be a big mistake for the West. “I hope you agree, colleagues, that the Russian Federation should not have any influence on the decisions you make regarding European security and NATO. Therefore, I urge you to use all possible tools to ensure that Germany does not follow the wishes of Russia, which wants to take away Ukraine’s chance to be part of the transatlantic alliance. Such a decision would serve as an invitation for Russia to continue its aggression,” emphasised the Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU.
First Deputy Chair of the Committee, Vadym Halaichuk, highlighted the importance of maintaining unity in confronting the Russian Federation. “When Europe stepped up and decided to increase assistance to Ukraine, the Kremlin was, to put it mildly, frightened. This was clear from their public comments. We need to maintain this momentum,” said Vadym Halaichuk. According to him, it is also important to continue working on Ukraine’s European integration. “We must make it clear that Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration — both politically and in terms of defence — is a decision that belongs to us and our partners, not to the Kremlin,” stated Vadym Halaichuk. He expressed hope that negotiations with the EU on the clusters, on which Ukraine is now working with the European side, will be opened soon.
Deputy Chairwoman of the Committee on the Integration of Ukraine into the EU Maria Mezentseva-Fedorenko stressed the importance of establishing justice and accountability for crimes against Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. “Justice must be established. The perpetrators of terrible war crimes, sexual violence, abduction of Ukrainian children, imprisonment and murder of our soldiers must be brought to justice,” said Maria Mezentseva-Fedorenko. She also noted that all regions of Ukraine — villages, towns and cities — strongly support European integration. “We are currently implementing programs such as U-Lead and other initiatives supported by the European Union and financed by the German government. These programs are aimed at ensuring that European integration takes place not only at the national, but also at the regional and local levels,” said Maria Mezentseva-Fedorenko.
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