German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Scholz wanted to visit Ukraine in 2024, before Donald Trump's inauguration. The Chancellor intends to find out what the Ukrainian leader is ready to do to end the conflict.
According to German publication Bild, Olaf Scholz's visit to Ukraine was scheduled even before the ruling coalition in Germany fell apart in early November.
"With 83 days to go before the Bundestag elections, Scholz naturally wants to send a clear signal: I am the Chancellor," Bild said.
Against the backdrop of Trump's promises to begin negotiations for a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, the German Chancellor intends to stand up for the interests of Ukraine.
Scholz arrived in Kyiv on December 2. This is his second visit in 2.5 years. Before that, the German Chancellor announced the allocation of another assistance package to Ukraine worth 650 million euros.
Many paid attention to the fact that the Chancellor brought a mysterious suitcase with him, which he did not let go of. Scholz was seen getting off a train with a silvery suitcase in his hand.
Scholz and Zelensky visited a hospital where they talked to wounded Ukrainian soldiers. One of the photos made during the visit shows a Ukrainian soldier who lost his leg in battles. The picture shows the soldier hugging the president and Scholz kneeling next to them. All the three men are smiling.
According to the Chancellor, during his visit to Kyiv he would like to express his solidarity with Ukraine and "make it clear that Germany will remain the main country in Europe supporting Ukraine."
Scholz also said that Kyiv could rely on Berlin, since the German leadership "says what it does" and "does what it says."
German Defense Ministry spokesman Mitko Müller later announced that the new aid package for Ukraine worth 650 million euros included IRIS-T air defense missile systems, Leopard 1 tanks, reconnaissance and attack drones.