Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is on an official visit to Berlin, met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Zelensky entered the guestbook during a visit to the Bellevue Palace, the residence of the President of Germany. In it, he thanked the people of Germany for his “fabulous solidarity” with his country.
“During the most difficult times of Ukraine’s modern history, Germany has proven to be a true friend and reliable ally, strongly supporting Ukraine in its struggle for freedom and defense of democratic values,” Zelensky said.
“Together we will win and restore peace in Europe,” the Ukrainian President added, personally thanking Steinmeier for his support.
After the meeting, he said that he discussed the current situation and bilateral cooperation with the President of Germany. “Germany will continue to support Ukraine politically, militarily and financially as long as necessary,” Zelensky said on his Telegram channel.
He also thanked Germany for the largest military aid package since the outbreak of hostilities.
“German air defense systems, artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles save the lives of Ukrainians and bring us closer to victory,” said the head of state.
The President of Ukraine after meeting with the Chancellor of Germany. According to Bild, Olaf Scholz greeted Zelensky with military honors despite making a working visit rather than a state visit.
At the end of the official ceremony, Zelensky and Scholz held a tete-a-tete meeting and then held a joint press conference.
The main theses of Zelensky’s speech
At a press conference, Zelensky said that Ukraine is trying to create a “coalition of fighters”, which should include countries ready to supply fighter jets to Kiev. According to the president of Ukraine, negotiations are taking place in this direction, including with Germany.
“I think we will be successful. Today I will call on the German side to support Ukraine in this coalition. This is important for us,” he said.
Answering journalists’ questions, Zelenskiy said that Ukraine did not attack Russian territory.
As for attacks on Russian territory, we are not attacking Russian territory, we are liberating our legal territory. “We’re not interested in that, we don’t have the extra time, power and weapons,” he said.
The president also said he should make “a few more visits” before the planned counterattack. According to him, the attack will begin as soon as “there is a minimum at which we can go forward.”
Zelensky said that Kiev still needs armored vehicles, additional air defenses, long-range missiles and 155 mm guns.
Talking about the possibility of resolving the conflict, the President of Ukraine reiterated that Kiev has agreed to negotiate a peace agreement only on the basis of a plan developed by the Ukrainian government in 2022.
What was Scholz talking about?
In response, the German Chancellor said that Germany did not reduce the amount of support for Ukraine, but only increased it. According to him, more than 1 million Ukrainians took refuge in the country, and Berlin continues to provide military aid to Kiev.
Scholz noted that Germany provided Ukraine with the weapons it needed to defend its territory. He reminded that as part of a record aid package of 2.7 billion euros, the Ukrainian army will receive tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, air defense systems and other types of weapons.
The German Chancellor also said that the Ukrainian authorities are ready to find a peaceful solution, but not ready for the conditions dictated by Russia.
“We have to say everywhere that Ukraine is ready for peace, but rightly and with our full support, it demands that this not just mean a freezing of the conflict, but that Russia dictate the terms,” Scholz said.
He also said that the involvement of other countries in the peace process is important, but they need to remember that according to Scholz, Russia must first withdraw its troops.
Commenting on Brazil’s peace initiative, the Chancellor said, “It’s good that other countries are making efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine, but they need to keep in mind that this cannot be against Ukraine.”
Stating that “Western countries will try to punish Russia for its actions in Ukraine”, Scholz noted that this conflict “has huge geopolitical consequences”.
Visit schedule and security measures
After the press conference, Scholz and Zelensky flew away from Berlin by helicopter. They went to Aachen, where the President of Ukraine will be awarded the International Charlemagne Prize. This award is given for its contribution to European unification and has been awarded annually since 1950.
Zelensky arrived in Berlin on the night of 14 May, his flight was accompanied by two German warplanes, the German Air Force reported. Security measures have been stepped up in the center of Berlin due to the visit of the Ukrainian president. Public transport was suspended, helicopters were deployed in the sky and snipers were deployed on rooftops, Reuters reported.
The entire center of the city was closed for the Zelensky convoy to pass, dozens of police cars and water cannons were on duty there. How note such strict security measures were taken by local journalists during the visit of Barack Obama during his presidency.
On May 13, Zelensky visited Italy, where he met with President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Georgia Meloni. The President of Ukraine also visited the Vatican, asking Pope Francis to “condemn Russian crimes in Ukraine”.