The Ukrainian President Selenskyj thanked for the broad support during his visit to Berlin. At the same time he asked Germany for fighter jets. Chancellor Scholz called Selenskyj’s visit a “strong signal”.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj was received by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz on his first visit to Germany after the start of the Russian war of aggression. Scholz said at a press conference that he was happy to welcome Selenskyj in Berlin and spoke of a “strong signal”.
“We will support you as long as it will be necessary,” assured the chancellor, referring to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. “And we are not letting up in our support,” Scholz continued. The Chancellor also addressed the new EUR 2.7 billion arms package for Ukraine. The planned deliveries include air defense systems, tanks and ammunition, among others.
Zelenskyj praised the additional military aid as “very important” for his country. “The volume of German aid is second only to the US,” he said. At the same time he thanked Germany for the support: “Above all, I would like to thank you, Olaf, and the entire German people for your help.”
Zelenskyj wants fighter jet coalition
In addition, Zelenskyy asked Germany to support his country along with other partners by supplying modern fighter jets. During his visit to European capitals, Ukraine is working on “creating a fighter jet coalition,” Zelenskyy said. He will also turn to the German side with a request to support Ukraine in this coalition. Scholz was reluctant to comment on this. Germany has delivered a lot to Ukraine. Especially as far as air defense is concerned, these are very modern weapons.
After the meeting in the Chancellery, Scholz will fly to Aachen with Selenskyj, where the Ukrainian President will receive the Charlemagne Prize. Scholz announced this in a press conference. The chancellor will hold the laudatory speech at the award ceremony.
Reception in front of the Chancellery: It was Selensky’s first visit to Germany since the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
Thanks for “fantastic solidarity”
In the morning, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier received Selenskyj in his official residence at Bellevue Palace. There, too, Selenskyj 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 proved to be our true friend and reliable ally, standing resolutely with the Ukrainian people in the struggle to defend freedom and democratic values,” he wrote in English in the guest book .
He also thanked Steinmeier for his “personal support of Ukraine” and the German people for their “fantastic solidarity”. In German, Zelenskyj added: “Thank you Germany!”.
At the start of his visit to Germany, the Ukrainian President Zelenskyj was received by Federal President Steinmeier at Bellevue Palace.
Zelenskyj had arrived early in the morning from Rome for his first visit to Germany since the start of the Russian attack on Ukraine. Because of the visit, the security measures in Berlin had been strengthened. Due to a so-called general decree, there are traffic closures in the capital until 6 p.m. The areas around the government district in Mitte were particularly affected.
The Ukrainian President visited Italy yesterday and met with President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. There he thanked for the help against the Russian invasion and asked for further support. His talks in Rome are “important to get closer to Ukraine’s victory,” Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter on Saturday. There was also a conversation with Pope Francis.