Minister for Foreign Affairs Xavier Bettel and Minister of Defence Yuriko Backes concluded a one-day visit to Ukraine on Wednesday, accompanied by a press delegation including our RTL Radio colleague Annick Goerens.
In an interview on RTL Radio, Goerens described Kyiv as a city of striking contrasts. While acknowledging the war’s omnipresence, she emphasised the capital’s enduring beauty, comparing its broad streets and majestic architecture to Vienna “with an Orthodox Eastern bloc touch”. She noted the city’s remarkable cleanliness and shared a poignant moment at Maidan Square at sunset, where guitar music and civilians enjoying ice creams created an almost tourist-like atmosphere.
Yet the war’s imprint remains unavoidable. The delegation avoided air raid alarms during their visit, but reminders of conflict surrounded them: memorials with fallen soldiers’ portraits, makeshift shrines with candles and flags, and destroyed Russian military hardware displayed near government buildings.
Goerens highlighted this duality – a city maintaining daily routines while under constant threat. The group visited a residential area struck by Russian drones just days earlier, where an attack killed nine and wounded over 60.
In conversations with locals, Goerens found most Ukrainians expressed a sober determination. “They believe they have no choice but to stand together and fight”, she reported. The physical scars of war surrounded them – buildings with obliterated top floors stood as silent witnesses to frequent attacks.
The delegation experienced particularly emotional moments during a visit to a children’s hospital struck in June 2024. The head cardiologist remained visibly traumatised, recounting how a precise hit could have killed approximately 800 people, predominantly children.
Security measures for the press contingent were extensive. Prior to departure, journalists received safety briefings from Luxembourg’s Foreign Ministry and were offered the opportunity to complete emergency first aid training. Each prepared a “grad-bag” containing survival essentials including clothing, food, water, a torch, radio, and medications for potential bunker stays.
Electronic security protocols proved equally rigorous. To counter Russian surveillance risks, reporters disabled all geolocation services, Bluetooth, and mobile data while securing devices in radiation-shielded bags. Ukrainian authorities enforced strict operational security, concerned that even routine electronic emissions might reveal sensitive information such as President Zelensky’s location.
Security protocols restricted the delegation to just two or three members for the meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky. The venue, located in central Kyiv, operated within a 1km security perimeter featuring military barricades and vacated residential buildings. Goerens noted the same building later hosted a separate meeting with Zelensky’s wife.
Describing the atmosphere as “like in a movie”, Goerens observed sandbag fortifications throughout the building, strategically placed to provide cover during potential attacks. “The concern about the Ukrainian president is not small”, she remarked, underscoring the extreme protective measures.
Regarding the diplomatic significance, Goerens explained that Ukrainians viewed the high-level Luxembourg delegation – including both foreign and defence ministers – as demonstrating exceptional solidarity. Rather than mere financial support, the visit conveyed Luxembourg’s political commitment through personal engagement. “It’s not about blindly signing a cheque”, she emphasised, “but showing they consider this important enough to send two ministers”.
