German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday promised further military aid for Kiev worth €1.4 billion ($1.5 billion) at a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin.
The package includes air defence systems, artillery and drones, Scholz said, calling the assistance a signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin that "Germany continues to stand firmly on Ukraine's side."
"Playing for time will not work," the chancellor added, as Kiev's conflict with Russia stretches into a third winter since Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022. "We will not let up in our support for Ukraine."
Zelensky's visit comes off the back of a whistle-stop tour of Europe, following the cancellation of a key international summit for Ukraine at a US air base in Germany, due to US President Joe Biden's decision to remain home to respond to Hurricane Milton.
Zelensky to discuss "Victory Plan"
Zelensky was due to offer Scholz details of his closely-guarded "Victory Plan" for Ukraine during a closed-door meeting at the Chancellery in Berlin on Friday, after visiting London, Paris and Rome on Thursday.
The president said the plan involves "realistic steps" that could force Russia to make peace "no later than 2025."
The two leaders agree that Russia must participate in a peace conference in order to secure a just and lasting settlement for Ukraine, Scholz said.
"It is clear that peace can only be achieved on the basis of international law. This will require enormous efforts," the chancellor stated.
"We will not accept a dictated peace from Russia," he further emphasized.
Scholz also condemned Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, which he said were aiming to break the population's resistance to Moscow's invasion.
Aid involves missiles, drones
Germany is the second-largest supplier of weapons to Ukraine after the United States.
The new aid package, which includes assistance from Belgium, Norway and Denmark, is to be delivered by the end of the year.
It is set to include further Iris-T and Skynex air defence systems, Gepard anti-aircraft guns, howitzers, battle tanks, armoured vehicles, drones, radars and artillery ammunition, Scholz said.
The Ukrainian president thanked Scholz for his country's renewed support against the Russian invasion.
"Germany has helped our country more than others with air-defence systems," Zelensky said in the comments before his private meeting with Scholz.
"That is a fact. And it has saved thousands of Ukrainian lives, giving our cities and villages protection from Russian terror," he added.
However, Zelensky insisted that Kiev would continue to require support in 2025.
"It is very important for us that aid does not decrease next year," he added.
The Ukrainian leader is due to conclude his visit to Berlin with a meeting at the Bellevue Palace with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier later on Friday.
Local News
Comments / 0