Despite Taurus rejection
Zelenskyj thanks Scholz for his support
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj visited Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin. photo
© Kay Nietfeld/dpa
Even without German cruise missiles, Ukraine relies on armaments aid from Germany. Above all, Kiev is looking forward to a meeting on Friday in Berlin.
During a detailed conversation with Scholz, both of them agreed before a meeting of the so-called Weimar Triangle in Berlin this Friday. Scholz receives French President Emmanuel Macron and Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk for talks. “Obviously the meeting is primarily about Ukraine,” said Zelensky. The meeting takes place against the backdrop of massive German-French differences in Ukraine policy. Macron does not rule out sending ground troops to Ukraine, which Scholz publicly contradicted several times.
Support and collaboration
Zelensky said he also spoke to Scholz about further cooperation in the defense sector. Ukraine needs support at the state and company level in the joint production of weapons. Zelenskyj therefore expects that arms factories will be located in Ukraine. He had repeatedly talked about making the country one of the largest arms producers in the world. Armored vehicles, artillery and anti-aircraft defenses would be needed, said Zelensky.
“And of course we also talked about the European Union, about the fact that negotiations for Ukraine’s full accession should begin as soon as possible,” said Zelensky. The country has status as an EU candidate country. Kyiv has fulfilled all steps; It is now up to the EU members to fulfill their responsibilities towards Ukraine.
A spokesman for the federal government had previously informed about the telephone call. It was said that Scholz had assured Ukraine of further military aid.
Ukraine has been defending itself against the Russian war of aggression for more than two years. The country is supported militarily and financially by the West, above all by the USA and Germany. On Thursday, the Bundestag rejected the delivery of German Taurus cruise missiles demanded by Ukraine by a large majority.