Klitschko and UDAR became a partner of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany in November 2011. „Politik ist wie ein Boxkampf“: Vitali Klitschko beim CDU-Parteitag in Leipzig im Interview , Leipziger Volkszeitung (14 November 2011)</ref> UDAR is supported by the German government and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and received support in particular from Angela Merkel and also politicians from the conservative European People's Party. According to information gained by the German magazine "Der Spiegel", the target was to "set up Klitschko purposefully as a new strong man in Kyiv—in order to counter this way the Kremlin's growing influence". Support consisted in logistics, training and joint performances. Assistance was also promised by Christoph Heusgen, Ronald Pofalla and Guido Westerwelle.