Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin to prepare the Ukrainian counter-offensive
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is in Berlin for his first visit to Germany since the start of the war. After a trip to Rome and the Vatican the day before, Mr. Zelensky announced on the night of Saturday to Sunday on his Twitter account his arrival in Berlin, stressing that this visit would be devoted to “a very important package” of arms deliveries to his country as well as to the “rebuilding” from Ukraine.
The move comes amid preparations for a spring offensive by the Ukrainian army, as both kyiv and Moscow claim success in and around Bakhmout in the east of the country.
For security reasons, details of the visit to Berlin were not immediately released. But, according to German media, Mr. Zelensky must meet in particular with the Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and the Head of State, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, in the morning.
Mr. Zelensky should also, according to the daily Pictureto go in the afternoon to Aix-la-Chapelle on board a German government Airbus to be awarded the Charlemagne Prize, a distinction rewarding the commitment to European unification.
Mr. Zelensky is currently trying to mobilize his support in Europe at a time when his army is preparing a counter-offensive in the east of the country against the Russian forces, announced several weeks ago. At the start of his visit, the German government said on Saturday that it was preparing a new military aid plan for Ukraine of 2.7 billion euros.
“We all want a quick end to this atrocious war by Russia against the Ukrainian people, but unfortunately it is not in sight. That is why Germany will provide all the help it can, for as long as necessary.”said Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
Deliveries include dozens of tanks, armored vehicles, surveillance drones and four new IRIS-T air defense systems.
A Ukrainian presidential adviser welcomed this support. However, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andri Melnyk said he did not go far enough. “It is a pity that most of the promised defense systems are old (…). It is also disappointing to see that the German government continues to refuse (…) the delivery of combat aircraft »he regretted on the television channel Welt TV.
Relations between kyiv and Berlin over military aid have long been strained, with Germany being criticized for being too timid. But she has ramped up her support in recent months.