Selenskyj comes to Germany and receives a package of weapons worth billions as a welcome gift

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj will visit Germany this weekend for the first time since the Russian attack on his country. Government circles in Berlin confirmed to the German press agency on Saturday that the visit will take place on Sunday. The exact program of the president has not yet been published for security reasons. Shortly before the arrival, the German government sent a welcome message to the Ukrainian president: it promised him more weapons worth 2.7 billion euros for the defensive fight against the troops of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Selenskyj was last in Germany a few days before the start of the war for the Munich Security Conference in February 2022. For the first ten months after the Russian invasion, he did not leave the country at all. He changed that at the end of last year. He has since been to Washington, Warsaw, Paris, London, Brussels, Helsinki and The Hague. He arrived in Rome on Saturday to meet Pope Francis and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Arrival time still open

From there he travels to Germany – whether on Saturday evening or only on Sunday morning initially remained open. In the afternoon, the Charlemagne Prize for European Merit will be awarded in Aachen, which was awarded to Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people in December. A visit to Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin could be preceded. There has been speculation about this since a rash by the Berlin police a week ago.

The advance of the police jeopardized the visit, as Zelenskyj’s trips abroad are usually kept secret until the last minute for security reasons. This also explains the reluctance of the federal government to announce the visitation program.

30 Leopard and 20 Marder tanks for Ukraine

Saturday’s visit was prepared with a promise of further military support to Ukraine. Among other things, the German defense industry will provide another 20 Marder armored cars, 30 Leopard 1 tanks and four Iris-T SLM anti-aircraft systems, as announced by the Ministry of Defense. In addition, the Ukrainian Armed Forces will receive 18 wheeled howitzers, ammunition for artillery and air defense systems, more than 100 armored fighting vehicles and more than 200 reconnaissance drones. However, some weapons deliveries from the package have been planned for a long time.

In a keynote address to the EU parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday, Scholz assured Ukraine of continued support for its defense against the Russian attackers. “Let’s remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine – for as long as it takes,” he said.

Defense Minister Pistorius confirms: “As long as it takes”

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) confirmed this on Saturday when announcing the new weapons package: “With this valuable contribution to the urgently needed military equipment, we show once again that Germany is serious about its support.” Germany will provide “any help it can – as long as it is needed”.

According to its own statements, the federal government has already approved weapons and military equipment worth 2.75 billion euros for Ukraine since the Russian attack on Ukraine. There are also other materials that do not require approval. According to Pistorius, the aid amounts to “just over four billion euros”.

Leopard 1 delivery already approved in February

Now there will be another 2.7 billion euros in weapons and equipment. However, it is clear that not all of the commitments listed by the Department of Defense are new. For example, a list of planned weapons deliveries published on April 26 by the federal government on the Internet already lists 18 wheeled howitzers. Also listed there are 108 reconnaissance drones and two other Iris-T-SLM air defense systems.

The federal government approved the export of the Leopard 1A5 tanks back in February. During a visit to Kiev, Pistorius announced the delivery of more than 100 examples from Germany and other countries by mid-2024. The Leopard 1 is the first main battle tank built for the German army after World War II. Of the more modern Leopard 2A6 tanks, Ukraine received 18 from Germany at the end of March.

The air defense system Iris-T SLM is one of the most militarily valuable weapons with which Germany has supported Ukraine. So far, two examples have been delivered of the system developed by arms company Diehl and other partners, which can defend entire cities against attacks from the air.

Klitschko Praises Scholz – “Historical Package”

Much praise came from Ukraine for the new commitments. “What I really like about this package is that Germany is leading the way,” says Selenskyj adviser Mykhailo Podoljak of the “Welt am Sonntag”. The decision shows “that Germany understands the moment in history, that the right decisions must be made now”.

Kiev mayor Vitali Klitschko expressly praised the chancellor. “With this historic package, Olaf Scholz shows that military support will continue as long as it is necessary,” Klitschko told the newspaper. “When I consider that more than 5,000 helmets were still talked about before the outbreak of war, the German government has made an impressive development and has become one of Ukraine’s most important friends.”

German population divided over arms deliveries

The German population is divided on the issue of arms supplies. In a survey by opinion research institute YouGov commissioned by the German news agency, 39 percent said that too many (weapon) weapons had already been delivered to Ukraine. 28 percent agree with the amount so far and 17 percent think Ukraine needs even more military support.

However, in the case of the currently controversial delivery of fighter jets of Western design, the rejection prevails. 49 percent are against, only 31 percent for. Ukraine wants American F16 aircraft, which the Bundeswehr does not have. However, the Ukrainian government hopes that Germany, as one of the most powerful NATO countries, will support its demand. Scholz has so far rejected the provision of Western-style fighter jets as unwise.

(sda/dpa)