Merkel to visit Kyiv on Aug. 22

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will visit Kyiv on
Aug. 22 to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky, ukrinform.net reported on
Aug. 9, citing a presidential office posting on Facebook. Merkel and Zelensky are
slated to discuss security and bilateral relations, among others.

James Hydzik: Merkel’s
visit moves forward by a couple of days the beginning of the Autumn political
season, which was already starting early. In this case, Merkel’s Aug. 22 visit
is followed by the Crimean Platform summit with representatives including
minister-level officials from at least 32 countries participating, the
celebration of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence, and, on Aug. 30,
Zelensky’s visit to Washington and his meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden.

All this is happening against the background of
increasing tension as Russia and Belarus finalize preparations for September’s
Zapad-2021 military exercise, which will take place to a great extent near
Ukraine’s borders. Moreover, the series of recent incidents shutting down parts
of Russia’s gas infrastructure will bring home the arguments on both sides
regarding the future of gas transportation system in Ukraine.