Selenski has landed in Berlin

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For security reasons, Selenski’s exact program has not yet been announced. However, it was speculated that the guest from Kiev would be hosted by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD). The Charlemagne Prize for European Merit, awarded to Zelensky and the Ukrainian people in December, will be awarded in Aachen on Sunday afternoon.

Government circles in Berlin had confirmed to the German press agency on Saturday that the visit would take place on Sunday. Shortly before his arrival, the German government had already 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.

Last in February 2022 in Germany

Selenski 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. On Saturday, he met Pope Francis and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome before traveling on to Germany.

For security reasons, Selenski’s trips abroad are usually kept secret until the very end. This also explains the reluctance of the federal government to announce the visitation program.

Scholz promised support

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.

(SDA)

Source: Blick