German Chancellor pledges military aid to Ukraine in surprise visit to Kyiv
- 3 December, 12:11
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced a military aid package worth €650m to Ukraine in a surprise visit to Kyiv on Monday.
Speaking in capital city where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Chancellor promised speedy arms deliveries to Ukraine, pledging that Germany would “remain” the country’s strongest supporter in Europe. Scholz reiterated that Russia should not be allowed to “impose a dictated peace deal on Ukraine” in any negotiation and expressed hope for finding a fair and lasting peace.
In a press conference with Scholz, Zelenskiy said Ukraine's allies “can only ensure peace through strength, the strength of our weapons, our diplomacy, and our cooperation. It is fundamental for us that Germany as a leader does not reduce support next year, including financial support.”
The unannounced visit follows Scholz’s phone conversation with Vladimir Putin a month ago. Scholz was criticized in Ukraine for the phone call, which the Chancellor said was aimed at informing Putin that the West would continue supporting Ukraine. It was the first phone conversation between a major Western country leader and Putin since 2022.
The visit marked Scholz’s first trip to the country since the more than two years when Russia started full-fledged invasion of Ukraine.
Scholz's visit comes ahead of January 20 inauguration US-president-elect Donald Trump who has pledged to bring a speedy end to the war, raising fears that he will forces Kyiv accept Moscow’s terms for peace. The visit was also made ahead of federal elections in February in which Scholz faces a mounting right-wing challenge.
