Scholz makes first unannounced visit to Kyiv in two years
Photo: AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, Pool
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Monday, December 2. This marks his second visit since the beginning of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.
Spiegel reports this.
According to the publication, with his visit to Ukraine, Scholz wants to make it clear that Germany continues to stand on the side of the country occupied by the Russian Federation.
"For more than 1,000 days, Ukraine has been heroically defending itself against Russia's merciless war of aggression," Scholz said after arriving in Kyiv.
According to him, Germany "will remain Ukraine's strongest supporter in Europe," Scholz also expressed hope for rapid arms deliveries.
"During my meeting with President Zelensky, I will announce further arms deliveries worth 650 million euros, which should be delivered by the end of December. We say what we will do. And we do what we say," the Chancellor said.
Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz ist heute in Kyjiw. Es ist sein zweiter Besuch seit Beginn des russischen Angriffskriegs. Dass diese Reise mitten in den Wahlkampf fällt, ist kein Zufall. Scholz will mit Selenskyj über weitere Unterstützung und Wege zum Frieden sprechen. @tagesschau pic.twitter.com/vrbOlo5af6
— Vassili Golod (@VassiliGolod) December 2, 2024
Journalists suggest that Scholz's conversation with Zelensky will probably also concern possible negotiations with Russia to end the war.
According to Spiegel, the Chancellor may also use this trip to garner support for his upcoming election. He will ask parliament to vote on a confidence motion in two weeks. Scholz is expected to run for re-election in the likely end-of–February elections.
Shortly before his visit, Scholz spoke with Zelensky by phone. The latter thanked the head of the German government for military support for Ukraine, especially for strengthening air defense with the Patriot and IRIS-T systems.
The Chancellor shared the details of his recent conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
On November 15, Scholz called Putin for the first time in two years. According to him, during the conversation, he condemned Russia's actions in the war against Ukraine and called on Putin to withdraw troops.
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Scholz previously traveled to Ukraine in June 2022, accompanied by French President Emmanuel Macron and former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi. During the visit, the heads of the three nations expressed their support for promptly granting Ukraine candidacy for EU membership.
It is worth mentioning that Ukraine has been requesting Taurus missiles from Germany for several months, but Berlin is proceeding with caution. Meanwhile, Friedrich Merz, the leader of the opposition party Christian Democratic Union, has expressed support for the transfer on the condition that Russia stops its attacks on civilians. Robert Habeck, the leader of the Greens', also stands behind this proposal. Both Merz and Habeck are potential candidates for chancellor in the 2025 elections.
