- A German Luftwaffe plane flew Zelenskyy from Rome after meetings with Italian leaders and the Pope
- The topics of weapons, air defence, reconstruction, the EU and NATO are to be the focus of Zelenskyy’s talks in Berlin
- Berlin has announced a new military aid package for Kiev
- The visit was kept secret for security reasons
This article was last updated at 1001 UTC
Scholz-Zelenskyy holds press conference in Berlin
Chancellor Olaf Scholz again promised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Germany would support his country “as long as necessary”.
At a press conference following the talks between the two in Berlin, Scholz said Germany has now pledged 17 billion euros ($18.5 billion) in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
“We have close ties that will bind our countries for decades. In view of.” [Russian] “We’re moving closer together,” added Scholz. “We support Ukraine not only in humanitarian terms, but also politically, financially and with arms deliveries.”
The German leader said Russia “must be held accountable for the crimes it has committed” and described how Moscow’s forces had murdered and looted during their nearly 15-month invasion.
Scholz also said he was looking forward to flying with Zelenskyy to the western German city of Aachen later on Sunday so the Ukrainian president could accept the Charlemagne Prize, awarded for his efforts towards European integration.
Zelenskyy then thanked Germany for “supporting our nation…for every life you have saved”.
The Ukrainian leader said Scholz had “shown leadership” that “gave us all the opportunity to make the world a safer place.”
Welcoming Germany’s new pledge of €2.7 billion in military aid, Zelenskyy said the package was a “strong pillar of support”.
Zelenskyy said his country wanted to end the war but insisted it must achieve “a just and fair peace”, adding that Ukraine’s territorial integrity is just as important as that of any other nation.
Zelenskyy’s Berlin visit was kept secret for security reasonsImage: Michele Tantussi/Portal
Zelenskyy receives military honors in the German Chancellery
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy received full military honors upon his arrival at the Chancellery in Berlin on Sunday morning.
Zelenskyi and Chancellor Scholz stood in silence while a military band played the Ukrainian and German national anthems before the couple entered.
DW correspondent Nina Haase said Zelenskyy’s visit was a symbol that the two countries were trying to open a new chapter in relations after Germany was initially reluctant to provide Ukraine with deadly weapons to counter the Russian invasion.
“One cannot overestimate how important this visit is for the federal government,” said Haase from a vantage point in front of the Chancellery.
“It comes at a time when Ukraine is preparing a massive counteroffensive [against Russian forces] and after Germany announced a large military package. So there are strong signals that Germany is actually strongly behind Ukraine.”
On the eve of Zelenskyy’s visit, Germany pledged a new military aid package worth more than 2.7 billion euros.
The package included 30 German Leopard tanks, as well as combat vehicles, reconnaissance drones and four Iris-T air defense systems, believed to be crucial in preventing Russian missiles from pounding Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.
DW political correspondent Thomas Sparrow said Zelenskyy’s trip will also focus on longer-term goals.
“Many European countries have signaled that they would like to integrate Ukraine into European or even transatlantic structures such as NATO. We may see verbal signs of support, but I don’t expect that to happen in a concrete way just yet.” [The visit] “It’s not just about short-term military and economic assistance, but also about the long-term 8-year perspective for Ukraine within the framework of the European Union,” Sparrow said.
The first stop for Zelenskyy was Bellevue Castle for talks with President Frank-Walter SteinmeierImage: Bernd von Jutrczenka/Pool/AP/picture Alliance
Steinmeier welcomes Zelenskyy to Berlin
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has come to Berlin for talks with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Zelenskyy’s motorcade drove into Bellevue Palace, the official residence of the German head of state, on Sunday morning. Bellevue is located in the Tiergarten district of the capital.
“In the most difficult period in the modern history of Ukraine, Germany [is] “We are proud to be our true friend and reliable ally,” wrote Zelenskyy in the German Presidency’s guest book. “Together we will win and bring peace back to Europe.”
It is his first visit to Germany since Russia launched its full-scale military invasion of Ukraine.
Steinmeier visited Kiev in October, following a difficult period in relations due to Steinmeier’s endorsement of pro-Russian policies during his time as foreign minister.
After the meeting with Steinmeier, Zelenskyy will meet Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his security cabinet.
Zelenskyy signed the Bellevue guest book and thanked Germany for its support. Image: Michele Tantussi/Portal
Zelenskyy lands in the German capital
According to his official Twitter account, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin late Saturday.
“Already in Berlin. Weapons. Powerful package. air defense. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security,” Zelenskyy tweeted.
It is his first visit to Germany since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Zelenskyy visited Germany for the last time in the year shortly before the outbreak of war on the occasion of the Munich Security Council event.
The visit comes after the German government on Saturday offered Ukraine its biggest-ever military aid package to stave off ongoing attacks from Russia.
Zelenskyy may also come to Aachen for the Charlemagne Prize ceremony
The President of Ukraine will be presented with the prestigious Charlemagne Prize on behalf of the Ukrainian people on Sunday.
The winner of the award was announced in December, but it’s not yet clear if Zelenskyy will travel to the western German city of Aachen, where the award is traditionally presented.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki are also expected to attend the event in Aachen.
Zelenskyy traveled to Rome on Saturday for talks with political leaders and the Pope. Germany will be the ninth country he visits since the Russian invasion – after the US, Poland, Britain, France, Belgium, Finland, the Netherlands and Italy.
mm, dh/dj, wd (dpa, Portal)