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BERLIN, Aug 25, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil on Monday urged "reliable security guarantees" for Ukraine once the conflict with Russia ends, as he arrived for a visit in Kyiv.
"In close coordination with (Chancellor Friedrich Merz), I am seeking to exchange ideas on how Germany can best support Ukraine in a possible peace process," the Social Democrat politician said, according to a statement.
Klingbeil, who is also German finance minister, called for a ceasefire and emphasised that "reliable security guarantees are needed to ensure lasting peace for Ukraine".
"We are closely coordinating internationally," he said. "Germany will live up to its responsibility."
Agreeing on security guarantees is seen as crucial in bringing the more than three-year-old war to an end but the subject is complex.
As Ukraine marked its Independence Day on Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the presence of foreign troops in the country once the war ended would be "important".
However Russia has repeatedly objected to Western troops being stationed in Ukraine.
Hopes for peace have dimmed after Moscow on Friday ruled out any immediate meeting between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite efforts by US President Donald Trump to broker a Ukraine-Russia summit.
