“According to Olaf Scholz, support for Ukraine’s air defense remains central for Germany”, — write: www.radiosvoboda.org
According to Scholz, for Germany, the support of Ukraine’s air defense remains central.
“We have already delivered five IRIS-T systems, three Patriot systems, more than 50 Cheetahs,” he said.
The chancellor added that in 2025, Germany will continue to supply, in particular, air defense systems, combat and reconnaissance drones, and helicopters.
“One thing is clear: we all want an end to this brutal war. No one wants peace more than Ukrainians. And that is why our unwavering support, our military assistance, the decisive fight against Russian aggression is one side of the coin. And the other is the identification of ways that can lead to a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. We discussed this in detail, how it is possible to achieve that Ukraine could conduct such negotiations from a position of strength. And one thing is clear: nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. I will not allow decisions to be made without Ukrainians. Russia cannot impose peace on Ukraine,” Scholz said.
According to President Zelenskyi, at the meeting behind closed doors, he and the chancellor talked about the details of the situation at the front and how to strengthen Ukraine from the outside.
“We really need it. We don’t know yet, and we very much hope that US support for the new administration will be strong, preferably even stronger. And that the policy of the United States will not change, but first of all we should already talk about it here in Europe and think about how we can further strengthen our state, what challenges await you and us,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
According to him, it was about “joint opportunities for the coming weeks and months.”
“We must realize all the possibilities of strengthening Ukraine, both at the front and in diplomacy. This also applies to the level of support for Ukraine. It is fundamental for us that Germany, as a leader, does not reduce it next year as well, including financial support, and this will be the right signal for all our other partners,” the president said.
Zelensky added that it is necessary to continue the pressure of sanctions on Russia.
“Putin cannot be allowed to adapt to pressure and, of course, we must remember that the key to our common security on the continent is geopolitical certainty. This is something that most European nations already have, but Ukraine is not yet provided for. Geopolitical determination involves solving two issues for each country in Europe. It is very important for us, for Ukraine. I have said it many times. These are the EU and NATO. And for Ukraine, both of these issues are fundamental. The sooner we get answers to these questions, the sooner Russia’s aggressive ambitions will be put to an end. Russia must get used to the fact that a united Europe knows how to protect itself, knows how to protect its values, the lives of its people,” the head of state said.
According to him, it is important for Ukraine to have “serious security guarantees”. “I was quite open with the chancellor on the topic of NATO and our security guarantees, what and who we believe in, and who we will never believe again. And let these details probably remain between us. That’s why it was such a long conversation,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy added.
On December 2, Olaf Scholz made his second visit to Ukraine during the full-scale war.
The last time Scholz visited the Ukrainian capital was in the summer of 2022 – then it was his first visit after the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation.
As stated earlier in the German government, in general, Germany has so far provided or pledged to provide military aid to Ukraine in the amount of almost 28 billion euros for the coming years.