Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) received the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with military honors at the Chancellery in Berlin. After a one-to-one conversation and another discussion in a slightly larger circle, there should also be a press conference. At the end of Zelensky’s visit to Berlin, deliberations within the security cabinet are planned for Sunday. In addition to Scholz, the committee includes Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (both SPD) and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens).
On Sunday morning, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier received Selenskij in his official residence at Bellevue Palace. Selensky thanked Germany for its support in the defensive struggle against Russia’s war of aggression. “During the most difficult period in Ukraine’s modern history, Germany has shown itself to be our true friend and reliable ally, standing resolutely with the Ukrainian people in the struggle to defend freedom and democratic values,” Zelensky wrote in English in the guest book . He added: “Together we will win and bring peace back to Europe.”
Selensky expressly thanked Steinmeier personally for his support. He wrote: “Thank you, Mr. Federal President, for your personal support of Ukraine and your hospitality.” He also thanked the German people for their “fantastic solidarity”. In German he added: “Thank you, Germany!”
Upon his arrival in Germany early Sunday morning, Zelenskiy wrote on Twitter: “Weapons. Strong package. Air defense, reconstruction. EU. Nato. Security.” – Keywords for possible topics of conversation in Berlin. It is his first visit to Germany since the Russian attack on Ukraine more than a year ago.
The Charlemagne Prize for European Merit, which was awarded to Zelensky and the Ukrainian people in December, will be presented in Aachen on Sunday afternoon. In the justification, Zelensky’s role in repelling the Russian war of aggression was emphasized: he was not only the president of his people and the supreme commander of the Ukrainian army. He is “also the motivator, communicator, the motor and the link between Ukraine and the large phalanx of supporters”.
Scholz will hold the laudatory speech in Aachen. Other speakers will be EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. The chancellor and Zelensky are expected to fly together from Berlin to Aachen.
On Saturday Selensky met President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Pope Francis in Rome. He campaigned in the Italian capital for further support for the defensive struggle against the Russian war of aggression. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni promised the guest from Kiev help “as long as it is necessary and beyond”.