Delegation of the Bundestag in Kyiv

04/ 11/ 2024

Today, Germany plays a key role in supporting Ukraine, providing both military and economic support. Our Foundation strives to use every opportunity to deepen the dialogue with the international community. Therefore, together with the Zentrum Liberale Moderne (Berlin), we organized a visit of the Delegation of the German Bundestag – representatives of parliamentary committees, teams of deputies, as well as representatives of the Eastern Committee of the German Economy and Berlin Economics – to Kyiv as part of the program “Ukraine in Europe: Parliamentary Dimension”. The topic of the visit was “Economic cooperation and integration of Ukraine into the EU internal market”. The program consisted of a series of meetings with Ukrainian government officials, parliamentarians, business representatives, human rights organizations, energy and defense industries, and civil society. They discussed the current challenges Ukraine is facing today and ways of further cooperation to strengthen our country. The first day of the visit began with a roundtable discussion on energy, where representatives of business and civil society spoke with the German guests about the current situation in Ukraine’s energy system. Given russia’s attacks on the country’s critical infrastructure, ensuring the stability of the energy system became a key issue. Particular attention was also paid to the development of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, which can play an important role in long-term energy security. Later, the German delegation spoke with Ukrainian MPs Iryna Gerashchenko, Mariia Ionova and Liudmyla Buymister. During the meeting, they discussed issues of bilateral relations, European integration, cooperation in the defense sector, and the situation at the frontline and in the energy sector. Mariia Ionova emphasized the need for partners to actively fight russian propaganda and honestly inform their societies about the potential threat. After all, supporting Ukraine is not only a matter of our country’s security, but also the security of the whole of Europe. The second day of the visit began with a roundtable discussion on the economic situation in Ukraine and the significance of rule of law reforms with experts, industry and civil society representatives from Ukraine. Primarily, they discussed the importance of stable financial support from international partners and the confiscation of russian assets as soon as possible. They also discussed demographic challenges, labor shortages, and the need to create conditions for Ukrainians to return to the country. The participants paid special attention to the fight against corruption, reform of the judicial system, and the need to comply with international standards to improve justice. On the same day, we scheduled a meeting of the Bundestag delegation with representatives of human rights organizations in Ukraine. In particular, with Tetiana Pechonchyk and Alena Luneva from the ZMINA Human Rights Center, Oleksandra Romantsova from the Center for Civil Liberties, Roman Koval from Truth Hounds, and Jane Alieva from the Mama Jane Foundation. During the discussion, human rights activists highlighted the systematic violations of the rights and freedoms of Ukrainian civilians and military prisoners by russia. Organizations are actively working to collect evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity in order to achieve justice through international courts and mechanisms. However, we cannot stand alone in this fight. Our partners need to work in concert to ensure that russia is held accountable. They also raised the issue of the abduction of Ukrainian children by russians. Thousands of children have been torn away from their families and homes, subjected to psychological violence and russification. In her turn, Jane Alieva emphasized that cooperation with international organizations is extremely important in this matter, as the work on the return of children requires official contacts with the russian side, which is a significant problem. Afterwards, the German delegation visited Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise. Oleksandr Ruvin, Director of Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise, personally conducted a tour and showed the guests the fragments of missiles, UAVs and other weapons that russia uses against the civilian population of Ukraine. Mr. Ruvin drew attention to the use of components from international manufacturers, including Germany, in the enemy’s weapons. The following day of the visit began with a tour of Kyiv, which allowed the Germans to see the consequences of russian shelling with their own eyes. They also stopped at the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital, which suffered from an enemy attack in July this year. The delegation was impressed by what they saw and the resilience of the medical staff, who continue to work selflessly to help children. Later, we visited the office of Bayer, a company that operates in the healthcare and agricultural sectors. The company is headquartered in Leverkusen, Germany. Today, Bayer is one of the largest investors in the pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors of our country. During the meeting, the company representatives presented interesting figures, their own innovations and strategic plans for the future. The parliamentary delegation also met with Oleksii Ryabchyn, Strategic Advisor to the Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine. During the discussion, the parties focused on the need for further comprehensive support, as well as Ukraine’s integration into the EU and NATO. Particular attention was paid to the restoration of the destroyed infrastructure, joint energy projects, and strengthening sanctions against russia. The final event was a roundtable discussion on the defense industry, where business and civil society experts discussed Germany’s role in strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities. At the beginning of the meeting, a DataDriven study on the current state of the Ukrainian defense technology market was presented to German colleagues. The ensuing discussion touched on many hot-button issues, including arms supplies to Ukraine and investments in our defense sector, authorization to use long-range weapons, sanctions against russia and its allies, and Putin’s so-called “red lines”. Alina Frolova, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Center for Defense Strategies, noted that European politicians, unfortunately, are not always ready to make critical decisions quickly. However, Ukraine understands that the russians really have no limits. And we need to use all opportunities and develop our own defense industry to protect ourselves. We believe that this visit of the Bundestag delegation was an important step in the development of bilateral relations between our countries. We are grateful to our German friends for their support, openness to dialogue and courage. We always welcome German partners and anticipate important decisions from Berlin! The program “Ukraine in Europe: The Parliamentary Dimension” is implemented by East Europe Foundation in cooperation with the Zentrum Liberale Moderne (Berlin) with the financial support of the German Federal Foreign Office.

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Therefore, together with the Zentrum Liberale Moderne (Berlin), we organized a visit of the Delegation of the German Bundestag – representatives of parliamentary committees, teams of deputies, as well as representatives of the Eastern Committee of the German Economy and Berlin Economics – to Kyiv as part of the program “Ukraine in Europe: Parliamentary Dimension”. The topic of the visit was “Economic cooperation and integration of Ukraine into the EU internal market”.

The program consisted of a series of meetings with Ukrainian government officials, parliamentarians, business representatives, human rights organizations, energy and defense industries, and civil society. They discussed the current challenges Ukraine is facing today and ways of further cooperation to strengthen our country.

The first day of the visit began with a roundtable discussion on energy, where representatives of business and civil society spoke with the German guests about the current situation in Ukraine’s energy system.

Given russia’s attacks on the country’s critical infrastructure, ensuring the stability of the energy system became a key issue. Particular attention was also paid to the development of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, which can play an important role in long-term energy security.

Later, the German delegation spoke with Ukrainian MPs Iryna Gerashchenko, Mariia Ionova and Liudmyla Buymister. During the meeting, they discussed issues of bilateral relations, European integration, cooperation in the defense sector, and the situation at the frontline and in the energy sector.

Mariia Ionova emphasized the need for partners to actively fight russian propaganda and honestly inform their societies about the potential threat. After all, supporting Ukraine is not only a matter of our country’s security, but also the security of the whole of Europe.

The second day of the visit began with a roundtable discussion on the economic situation in Ukraine and the significance of rule of law reforms with experts, industry and civil society representatives from Ukraine.

Primarily, they discussed the importance of stable financial support from international partners and the confiscation of russian assets as soon as possible. They also discussed demographic challenges, labor shortages, and the need to create conditions for Ukrainians to return to the country.

The participants paid special attention to the fight against corruption, reform of the judicial system, and the need to comply with international standards to improve justice.

On the same day, we scheduled a meeting of the Bundestag delegation with representatives of human rights organizations in Ukraine. In particular, with Tetiana Pechonchyk and Alena Luneva from the ZMINA Human Rights Center, Oleksandra Romantsova from the Center for Civil Liberties, Roman Koval from Truth Hounds, and Jane Alieva from the Mama Jane Foundation.

During the discussion, human rights activists highlighted the systematic violations of the rights and freedoms of Ukrainian civilians and military prisoners by russia. Organizations are actively working to collect evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity in order to achieve justice through international courts and mechanisms. However, we cannot stand alone in this fight. Our partners need to work in concert to ensure that russia is held accountable.

They also raised the issue of the abduction of Ukrainian children by russians. Thousands of children have been torn away from their families and homes, subjected to psychological violence and russification. In her turn, Jane Alieva emphasized that cooperation with international organizations is extremely important in this matter, as the work on the return of children requires official contacts with the russian side, which is a significant problem.

Afterwards, the German delegation visited Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise. Oleksandr Ruvin, Director of Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise, personally conducted a tour and showed the guests the fragments of missiles, UAVs and other weapons that russia uses against the civilian population of Ukraine. Mr. Ruvin drew attention to the use of components from international manufacturers, including Germany, in the enemy’s weapons.

The following day of the visit began with a tour of Kyiv, which allowed the Germans to see the consequences of russian shelling with their own eyes. They also stopped at the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital, which suffered from an enemy attack in July this year. The delegation was impressed by what they saw and the resilience of the medical staff, who continue to work selflessly to help children.

Later, we visited the office of Bayer, a company that operates in the healthcare and agricultural sectors. The company is headquartered in Leverkusen, Germany. Today, Bayer is one of the largest investors in the pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors of our country. During the meeting, the company representatives presented interesting figures, their own innovations and strategic plans for the future.

The parliamentary delegation also met with Oleksii Ryabchyn, Strategic Advisor to the Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine. During the discussion, the parties focused on the need for further comprehensive support, as well as Ukraine’s integration into the EU and NATO. Particular attention was paid to the restoration of the destroyed infrastructure, joint energy projects, and strengthening sanctions against russia.

The final event was a roundtable discussion on the defense industry, where business and civil society experts discussed Germany’s role in strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities. At the beginning of the meeting, a DataDriven study on the current state of the Ukrainian defense technology market was presented to German colleagues.

The ensuing discussion touched on many hot-button issues, including arms supplies to Ukraine and investments in our defense sector, authorization to use long-range weapons, sanctions against russia and its allies, and Putin’s so-called “red lines”.

Alina Frolova, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Center for Defense Strategies, noted that European politicians, unfortunately, are not always ready to make critical decisions quickly. However, Ukraine understands that the russians really have no limits. And we need to use all opportunities and develop our own defense industry to protect ourselves.

We believe that this visit of the Bundestag delegation was an important step in the development of bilateral relations between our countries. We are grateful to our German friends for their support, openness to dialogue and courage.

We always welcome German partners and anticipate important decisions from Berlin!

The program “Ukraine in Europe: The Parliamentary Dimension” is implemented by East Europe Foundation in cooperation with the Zentrum Liberale Moderne (Berlin) with the financial support of the German Federal Foreign Office.