“During his visit to Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyi and Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz held face-to-face and extended talks.”, — write: www.president.gov.ua
During his visit to Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyi and Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz held face-to-face and extended talks. The main topics are all the possibilities of strengthening Ukraine on the battlefield and diplomatically in the coming weeks and months, working at the bilateral level and with other partners.
The head of state noted that this is Olaf Scholz’s first bilateral visit to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation. In total, during this time, they met 17 times at international events and in Germany, and talked over the phone and online more than 30 times. Also in the summer of 2022, the Chancellor of Germany visited Kyiv together with the leaders of France, Romania and Italy.
The President thanked the Federal Republic of Germany for its extremely significant, tangible support: Germany ranks first in Europe in terms of the amount of aid provided.
“Germany’s leadership in helping us protect the sky is particularly significant: it was Germany that provided the most air defense for Ukraine. Olaf, I want to thank you personally and the entire German society for this,” said the Head of State.
According to him, the Patriot air defense system, IRIS-T, and Gepard anti-aircraft guns provided by Germany have already saved tens of thousands of people and hundreds of infrastructure facilities. Separately, the President thanked for the new military package worth 650 million euros and a clear deadline for delivery – this month.
Among the topics discussed during the meeting are the continuation of defense cooperation and sanctions pressure on Russia, as well as maintaining the level of support from Germany next year.
Volodymyr Zelenskyi emphasized that the key to common security on the continent is geopolitical certainty. It provides for the solution of two issues for each country in Europe – regarding the EU and NATO.
“Both of these issues are fundamental for Ukraine. The sooner we get answers to them, the sooner Russia’s aggressive ambitions will be put to an end,” he stressed.
Olaf Scholz noted that the total amount of aid that Germany has provided to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion is about 28 billion euros. In particular, five complete sets of IRIS-T, three Patriot systems, more than 50 Gepard anti-aircraft installations with missiles, shells and spare parts were transferred to strengthen air defense. Another IRIS-T system, an installation for Patriot and Gepard, is expected to be delivered in December.
“In 2025, we will also supply air defense systems, howitzers, combat and reconnaissance drones. In addition, six armed Sea King helicopters. I say this very clearly to Putin here in Kyiv today: we do not get tired. And we will support Ukraine as long as necessary,” he said.
The Chancellor of Germany also noted that Ukraine has made significant progress on the way to membership in the European Union, and assured of support from Germany.
