Berlin [Germany], October 25: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has reiterated his country's promise of long-term support to Ukraine, including for reconstruction, in the face of the Russian invasion.
"Ukraine can rely on Germany," Scholz said on Tuesday at the 6th German-Ukrainian Economic Forum in Berlin.
Scholz and his Economy Minister Robert Habeck pointed to the help being provided to companies for investment in Ukraine, including state-backed funds and export guarantees.
Ukrainian President VolodymyrZelensky pointed to the great potential in economic cooperation, in a video message at the forum. The top priority, he said, was to expand the defence sector.
A joint venture between the German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall and the Ukrainian state-owned company Ukrainian Defence Industry JSC has already begun operations.
The joint venture, named Rheinmetall Ukrainian Defence Industry, started operations last week, Rheinmetall said on Tuesday.
Based in Kiev, the firm will initially repair military vehicles, but some - so far unspecified - Rheinmetall products will soon be manufactured in Ukraine.
The cooperation is intended to strengthen Ukraine's defence economic base and ultimately the country's national security, Rheinmetall said. "It is intended to gradually build joint capabilities in defence technology in Ukraine." At a meeting with Scholz, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal also raised the issue of using frozen Russian assets to pay reparations to Ukraine. "We must jointly find ways to make Russia pay for the crimes and destruction committed in Ukraine," Shmyhal wrote on Telegram.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine started in February last year, and has resulted in widespread destruction in many cities, huge damage to infrastructure and the illegal annexation of four eastern regions. Zelensky and Shmyhal thanked Germany for arms deliveries so far.
Scholz had previously announced a "winter package" including the delivery of another Patriot anti-aircraft missile system.
"Every factory that is not destroyed, every power line that can be protected, every company where production continues, ultimately helps stabilize Ukraine economically as well," Shmyhal said.
Many German companies are very interested in expanding their partnership with Ukrainian firms, said Peter Adrian, president of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
The deputy chairman of the Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations, Christian Bruch, said that despite the war, a dozen investment projects had already been started.
"German companies are currently applying for investment guarantees from the Federal Government with 30 more project proposals.
Reconstruction has started and German companies are getting involved." Another 70 project ideas have been submitted, he said.
"Reconstruction has started and German companies are getting involved." In addition to private investments, the German government has already promised Ukraine greater financial support for reconstruction. An international reconstruction conference is planned for June 2024 in Berlin.
The destruction in Ukraine from Russia bombing has been likened to that experienced by Germany in World War II. Germany was also heavily rebuilt after the war, including cities like Dresden and Hamburg which were left in ruins.
Source: Qatar Tribune