Scholz assured Ukraine of further support.
(Photo: dpa)
Berlin Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has assured Ukraine of Germany’s continued support. “We will support you for as long as it will be necessary,” said the head of government at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Chancellery in Berlin.
Scholz emphasized that Germany had just pledged a new weapons package worth 2.7 billion euros. Overall, Germany’s bilateral support for Ukraine alone now amounts to 17 billion euros.
Selenski, who was flown to Berlin in a German government plane after his visit to Rome, thanked Scholz and the German citizens for the help they had provided. The Federal Republic is the second largest supporter after the USA.
The new weapons package, which includes Leopard 1 main battle tanks, Iris-T SLM air defense systems, howitzers and artillery ammunition, is a “very important and strong help”. The Ukrainian President also expressly acknowledged the admission of around one million compatriots who fled the Russian war of aggression.
In the afternoon, the Charlemagne Prize is to be awarded to Selenski and the Ukrainian people in Aachen. Scholz announced that he would travel to Aachen together with the Ukrainian President. The Ukrainians resisted Russian aggression “unyieldingly and heroically,” said the Chancellor.
Scholz: “No Russian dictated peace”
The first visit by Selenski to Germany since the beginning of the war was accompanied by massive security measures. Before the conversation with Scholz, the state guest had also been received by Federal President Frank-Walter-Steinmeier. After the press conference, a meeting with the security cabinet was also planned, which includes Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD).
Selenski was greeted with military honors in Berlin.
(Photo: dpa)
Scholz made it clear that Germany and the other allies hoped for peace in Ukraine soon, but at the same time were preparing for longer-term support. The government in Kiev is ready for peace, but it is clear that there can be no peace dictated by Russia, stressed the Chancellor.
>> Read here: Rheinmetall repairs and builds tanks in Ukraine
“Russia must immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its armed forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders,” said a four-page joint statement by Ukraine and Germany released by the federal government.
The war must end with a “just peace”, Zelenski also emphasized. Like any other nation, his country has the right to territorial integrity and security. Zelenskiy dodged questions about whether the Ukrainian army would also attack Russian territory if they were able to do so with long-range weapons.
Zelenski asks for support for fighter jet coalition
“We are not attacking Russian territory, we are liberating our territories,” the president said. His army has neither the weapons nor the strength to attack Russia. Nevertheless, Selenski asked Scholz for support in forming an international fighter jet coalition.
>> Read here: Germany puts together a new weapons package with a volume of 2.7 billion euros
Some countries had signaled their willingness to possibly also support Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets. Russia currently still has a preponderance in the airspace and this should be overcome. So far, the western allies have only delivered jets like the Mig-29, which are still of Soviet production.
More: New weapons for Kiev: signal against growing war fatigue