Exclusive Interview with Deputy PM Xavier Bettel on Ukraine, Russia

During the recent official visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, on Wednesday 30 April 2025, Chronicle.lu got a chance to sit down with Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, Xavier Bettel, asking his views of how the trip went.

Chronicle.lu: What has been your main aim / goal to making this visit? And have you achieved it?

Minister Bettel: I think the first reason of this visit was to show to the Ukrainians that we never forgot them, that we don't forget them and that we will not forget them. So, past, present and future. And also to show that there is no lassitude of support and that there should be no solution also about Ukraine without Ukraine, which seemed to be a risk. So, it was an important exchange and when I see the echoes I get from the Ukrainian counterpart, they were more than happy to welcome us.

Chronicle.lu: Regarding Luxembourg's financial / military support, is this given unconditionally, or is it given by way of loans or other barter/exchanges?

Minister Bettel: No, as Minister of Development, I can tell you that these €96 million that we gave and now with these €11 million more are in developing the humanitarian aid, and it is important to see that a big part of it is through international organisations, the Red Cross, the PAM, but also to help to demine the country, but also the electrical support that they are able to have, also electricity. So, these are so many different projects for over €100 million now, since the beginning of the war and which is in the budget that I have; and I decided that it was important to support the Ukrainians in these difficult times and that was a political choice.

Chronicle.lu: I only ask because there have been some other countries that have been raising the issue of exchanges and not giving aid for free...

Minister Bettel: Yes, but I think for the moment we should see how we can support Ukraine without providing a bigger hole when the war will be finished to be able to rebuild the country. But they ask also for grants and for support and for help and for loans. They need money, but it is terrible that over I think it's €200 million or dollars cost each day of war. That's the reality.

Chronicle.lu: What are Luxembourg's current diplomatic relations with Russia? Is there any direct communication? Or maybe just at international meetings such as at the United Nations? And will Luxembourg consider tightening or imposing more Russian sanctions?

Minister Bettel: So, the fact is for the moment the relations at the strict minimum. I think we still have an ambassador in Luxembourg. We still have an ambassador in Moscow, but it's on the strict minimum. There's no invitations for celebrations and it's really the strict minimum protocol which is the relations for the moment, which is a shame when we see everything that was built culturally, economically, politically, diplomatically between those countries. I'm so sorry that everything has been destroyed by the decision of this war in Ukraine. 

The extensive report on the visit can be read in a series of articles (bilateral meetings including with President Zelensky, visit to the Wall of Remembrance, hospital and other sites), with a detailed explanation of Luxembourg's support to Ukraine here, and also a personal viewpoint by the author here.