Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Germany to attend a pivotal conference on Ukraine's recovery and to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. During his visit, Zelensky emphasized discussions on continued defense aid, the expansion of Ukraine's air defense system, and joint weapons production. This meeting comes in the wake of Germany authorizing Ukraine for the first time to use German weapons to strike targets in Russia, a move Western countries have previously avoided due to fears of escalation.
Chancellor Scholz underscored the undeniable support for Ukraine, stressing that 'no military victory or peace dictated by Vladimir Putin will be accepted.' He reiterated that promoting this awareness is a core challenge for the upcoming peace summit in Switzerland, promising that allies would support Ukraine as long as necessary. Scholz further urged Western allies to bolster Ukraine’s air defense, highlighting the crucial need for ammunition and weapons in the face of relentless Russian shelling. Notably, Berlin has decided to deliver a third anti-aircraft defense system, Patriot, to Ukraine.
The focus on Ukraine’s reconstruction was evident as nearly a hundred investment projects were brought to the table, prioritizing the rebuilding of energy infrastructure. Zelensky pointed out that Russian missile and drone strikes have decimated 9 gigawatts of Ukraine's energy capacity, which constitutes half of the country’s electricity production needed last winter. The priority on urgent solutions for the energy sector underlines the massive scale of the reconstruction efforts.
Additionally, the conference agenda will explore Ukraine's potential membership in the European Union, with negotiations expected to begin at the end of June. European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen indicated that Ukraine has progressed significantly in meeting the necessary reform requirements for EU membership.
Volodymyr Zelensky’s itinerary also includes meetings with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Bundestag President Bärbel Bas, as well as visiting a military base where Ukrainian soldiers are trained. His schedule culminates in participation in a High-level Conference on Peace in Ukraine in Switzerland, which will convene representatives from over 90 countries and organizations.
- After the Russian invasion in February 2022, Germany shifted from its traditionally pacifist stance to becoming the second largest supplier of military aid to Ukraine, trailing only the United States in contributions. This strategic pivot highlights the critical international support Ukraine continues to garner as it battles Russian aggression.
- The upcoming High-level Conference on Peace in Ukraine, set to take place in Switzerland, emphasizes the global community's commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The exclusion of Russia and China from this conference notably highlights the geopolitical complexities and aligns the efforts of participating countries towards a consolidated strategy in support of Ukraine.
