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German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Sunday welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Berlin in his first visit to the country since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Zelenskyy’s visit Sunday comes as he seeks more arms shipments to help his country fight off Russian attacks, and funds to rebuild what has been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict.
A Luftwaffe jet flew Zelenskyy to the German capital from Rome, where he met Friday with Pope Francis and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Last night – amid tight security – the German government announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion euros ($3.97 billion Cdn), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.
Hardware is important
“Already in Berlin. Arms. Strong package. Air defense. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security,” Zelenskyy tweeted Sunday, a clear reference to the main priorities of the trip.
After the first hesitation to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, Germany has become one of the largest suppliers of weapons to Ukraine, including Leopard 1 and 2 battle tanks, and advanced IRIS-T SLM air defense system.
Modern Western hardware is considered essential if Ukraine is to succeed in its planned counteroffensive against Russian forces. Zelenskyy first met with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German head of state, who was snubbed by Kyiv last year, apparently over his previous close ties with Russia, causing a chill in diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Germany.
Since then, Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz have visited Ukraine, assuring Zelenskyy of their support for their country’s fight against the Russian invasion.
Announcing the new arms package, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Berlin would help Ukraine “even if it needs it.”
After meeting with Scholz and other senior officials in the chancellery, the two leaders are expected to fly to the western city of Aachen for Zelenskyy to receive the International Charlemagne Prize awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.
Organizers said the award recognized that their resistance to the Russian invasion was a defense “not only of the country’s sovereignty and the lives of its citizens, but also of Europe and European values.”
While Germany’s leader has expressed strong support for Ukraine, German voters are divided over whether the country should provide further weapons, especially advanced fighter jets as Kyiv is appealing to allies.
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