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German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Saturday accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of intensifying attacks on Ukraine and announced additional humanitarian and energy-related support for Kyiv.
Speaking alongside Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga in Kyiv, Wadephul said Russia’s war “has in no way abated” and accused Moscow of deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure with missiles and drone swarms.
His comments came a day after a Russian drone attack on a busy shopping center in eastern Ukraine killed at least 16 people.
The U.N. has reported that Ukraine’s civilian death toll in 2026 has risen to its highest level since the first months of the war.
“The people of Ukraine have our full support. Germany stands behind Ukraine,” Wadephul said.
He announced an additional €50 million ($58 million) in humanitarian aid for U.N. agencies and NGOs supporting people in areas near the front lines.
Germany will also contribute another €10 million to a NATO fund financing improvements to Ukraine’s energy networks and anti-drone defense systems.
Ukraine has repeatedly asked allies to strengthen its air defenses and is facing shortages of Patriot interceptors after the U.S. entered the war with Iran in February and redirected supplies.
Wadephul said he had discussed the issue with European countries and planned to raise it with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio next week.
Wadephul said his talks with Rubio would also address stalled efforts to end the war, which began in 2022.
He said he was counting on “the United States to remain willing to play an active role here.”
Sybiga said peace efforts were “currently on hold” and called for greater U.S. involvement.
“Without the U.S., it is unrealistic to achieve progress or a just peace in this situation,” he said.
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