Zelenskyy In Germany To Receive 'Largest Military Aid Package' For Ukraine Worth 2.7 Billion Euros

Germany welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with military honours and announced the "biggest military aid package" for Kyiv since the inception of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speak to the media during a press conference at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany

Source : Getty

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with military honours upon the latter's first visit to Germany since Russia invaded Ukraine. On the eve of his arrival, the German government announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion Euros which is roughly $3 Billion, including tanks, anti-aircraft systems, and ammunition, reported the news agency Associated Press.

Upon his arrival, Zelenskyy first called upon the Head of the State of Germany, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier who was snubbed by Kyiv last year allegedly due to his close ties with Russia which led to a stagnation in diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Germany. After then, Steinmeier and Chancellor Scholz visited Ukraine, and since then have been assuring Zelenskyy of their support for his nation's fight against the Russian invasion.

I thank Germany for the largest military aid package since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion.

German air defense systems, artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are saving Ukrainian lives and bringing us closer to victory.

Germany is a reliable ally!…

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 14, 2023

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius while announcing the new arms package, said that Berlin would help Ukraine for “as long as it takes.”

German leaders have expressed strong backing for Ukraine but, German voters are conflicted on whether the country should provide further weapons to Kyiv or not, particularly its fighter jets, as per AP's report.

After meeting Scholz and other senior officials at the chancellery, the two leaders are likely to fly over to the western city of Aachen for Zelenskyy to receive the International Charlemagne Prize awarded to him and other Ukrainians.

Organisers have said that the award recognises that Ukraine's resistance against Russia’s invasion is a defense “not just of the sovereignty of their country and the life of its citizens, but also of Europe and European values,” reported Associated Press.

Germany initially hesitated in providing Ukraine with lethal weapons however now it has become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine including Leopard 1 and 2 battle tanks. It has also provided Ukraine with a sophisticated IRIS-T SLM air-defense system. Modern Western hardware is considered crucial to Ukraine if it is to succeed in its planned counteroffensive tactic against Russia.

The Ukrainian President on Sunday in an apparent reference to the top key priorities of his trip tweeted, “Already in Berlin. Weapons. Powerful package. Air defense. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security.”

Already in Berlin. Weapons. Powerful package. Air defense. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security.

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 13, 2023

Zelenskyy is visiting allies in search of further arms deliveries to help his nation fend off the Russian invasion. He is also on the look for funds that will be used to rebuild whatever has been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict.