Top German diplomat arrives in Ukraine

By Zehra Nur Duz

ANKARA (AA) - German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived in Ukraine on Tuesday, on the first trip there by a member of the Berlin government since Russia's war on the country began on Feb. 24, public broadcaster Deutsche Welle reported.

Her visit comes as Germany continues to face criticism over its policy toward Russia, perceived as placing economic interest over human rights concerns.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition government long maintained a cautious policy and ruled out supplying weapons to Ukraine, but reversed its policy in February.

Earlier this month, the government further toughened its stance and started approving the delivery of heavy weapons to Ukraine, including seven howitzer artillery systems.

Baerbock has visited the city of Bucha near Kyiv, plans to reopen the German Embassy in Kyiv, which has been closed since mid-February, and meet her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba, according to DW.

Last week, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier spoke over telephone with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, after days of diplomatic tension over his cancelled visit to Kyiv.​​​​​​​

The conversation was described as "very important" by both leaders, and that "previous irritants" had been addressed.

Both Steinmeier and Scholz are now said to have been invited to Kyiv.