German Minister of Unannounced Visit to Kiev

Germany's Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, arrived in Kiev on Tuesday's morning on a surprising visit to support Ukraine.

Her visit had not been warned in advance of security causes.

The German minister called for more international support for Ukraine's air defence, at a time when Russia is conducting a new offensive in the Harkiwi region.

This is Baerbock's seventh visit to Ukraine, since Russia began its conquest of the neighbouring state in February 2022.

Germany is one of Ukraine's biggest supporters in its fight against the Russian invaders.

Earlier this month, Germany's Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius, said his country would send three other high-speed artillery missile systems known as HIMARS to Ukraine.

HIMARS is a rocket launcher placed in the truck that can shoot multiple missiles at once.

In April, the German government announced it would immediately send Ukraine a Patriot antiaircraft system, with which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Western allies to supply Kiev.

The Ukrainian Army is facing great pressure in recent weeks from a new Russian offensive in the Harkiwi region. Kiev troops are also facing lack of ammunition.

Russia claims to have taken control of a number of settlements during this offensive. /rel