German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has spoken with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, amid a rift over a visit to Kyiv last month that was canceled at the last minute by Ukraine.
Steinmeiers's office said in a statement that the two leaders spoke by phone on May 5, describing the call as "very important, very good."
Steinmeier, a former foreign minister, has faced criticism from Kyiv for his detente policy toward Moscow, which he has since admitted was a mistake.
He was supposed to travel to the Ukrainian capital with the leaders of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia on April 13, but Kyiv informed Steinmeier he was not welcome.
"Irritations from the past have been cleared up. Both presidents agreed to remain in close contact," the statement on the phone call noted, adding that Steinmeier "expressed his solidarity, respect, and support for the courageous struggle of the Ukrainian people against the Russian aggressors."
The rift has kept German Chancellor Olaf Scholz from visiting Kyiv as he said it was not proper for him to travel there given the snub of Steinmeier.
