Luxembourg Offers Continued Support to Ukraine During Visit to Odessa

On Tuesday 26 August 2025, the Benelux delegation, including Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, continued the second part of its joint mission with a working visit to Odessa, Ukraine.

The delegation, consisting of Minister, Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belgium, Maxime Prévot, and the Director-General for European Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Heleen Bakker, followed their working visit to Chișinău, Moldova, with a visit to the city and its port on the Black Sea.

Odessa, located 80 km from Russian positions, plays a crucial role in the Ukrainian economy and faces regular drone attacks and missile strikes. It serves as the country’s economic lifeline for grain exports and provides strategic access to international markets. Its location on the Black Sea also gives it military and strategic significance for Ukraine.

Luxembourg’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Cooperation and Foreign Trade reported that the Benelux delegation first paid tribute to the victims of Russia’s invasion and then visited the city’s port, where they assessed the scale of the damage caused by Russian attacks. They then held a meeting with Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andriy Sybiha.

According to the ministry, the meeting allowed the Benelux countries to reaffirm their support for Ukraine. 

Minister Bettel emphasised that Luxembourg’s support extends beyond the war effort to include humanitarian aid and post-war reconstruction. He stated: “We are here now and we will remain after the war ends.”

Referring to recent discussions in Washington and Alaska, the ministry noted that the participants welcomed the new momentum. 

In relation to Russia’s continued daily assaults, particularly in the Donbass region, Minister Bettel underlined that Luxembourg shared Ukraine’s position that a ceasefire agreement must come first before addressing other fundamental issues.

Moreover, the ministry stated that the visit to Odessa also provided an opportunity for the delegation to meet the Governor of Odessa Oblast, Oleh Kiper, and to tour a power generation plant.