BERLIN — Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky is in Berlin for talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, his first visit to Germany since Russia’s invasion.
The trip comes a day after Germany announced it would supply weapons worth around three billion dollars to Kyiv.
Arriving in Germany Zelensky tweeted: “Already in Berlin. To install Weapons. Powerful package. To install Air defense. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security.”
On Saturday Germany unveiled its biggest military aid package for Ukraine yet. Berlin said it would supply €2.7 billion (£2.4 billion) worth of weapons, including Leopard tanks and anti-aircraft systems to Kyiv.
For security reasons, the German government has released few details about President Zelensky’s movements Sunday. — but he has already met the German president and has held talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
German media also reported that, in the afternoon, President Zelensky will travel to the western city of Aachen to attend the Charlemagne prize ceremony.
The Ukrainian leader’s plane arrived escorted by two German air force fighter jets. President Zelensky flew in from Italy overnight following a visit there on Saturday.
Zelensky was greeted with military honors Sunday by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as he made his first visit to Germany since Russia invaded Ukraine.
After meeting Chancellor Scholz and other senior officials at the Chancellery, the two leaders are expected to fly to the western city of Aachen for Zelensky to receive the International Charlemagne Prize awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.
The award recognizes those doing the most to promote European unity. Previous winners include Winston Churchill, Pope Francis and Bill Clinton.
Organizers say the award recognizes their resistance against Russia’s invasion is a defense “not just of the sovereignty of their country and the lives of its citizens, but also of Europe and European values.” — Agencies