Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, is greeted with military honors by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (r, SPD) in front of the Federal Chancellery. © Kay Nietfeld/dpa
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with military honours at the Chancellery in Berlin. After a one-on-one conversation and another conversation in a somewhat larger circle, there should also be a press conference. At the end of Zelensky's visit to Berlin, consultations within the framework of the Security Cabinet were planned on Sunday.
In addition to Scholz, the committee includes Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (both SPD) and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens).
In the morning, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier received Zelensky at his official residence Schloss Bellevue in Berlin. On Sunday afternoon, Zelensky and the Ukrainian people are to be honoured in Aachen with the Charlemagne Prize for services to the unity of Europe. Scholz will give the laudatory speech. Other speakers include EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. Scholz and Zelensky were expected to fly to Aachen together.
On Saturday, Zelensky met President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Italian capital Rome. He was also received by Pope Francis.
Immediately before Zelensky's visit, the German government had promised Ukraine further arms deliveries worth 2.7 billion euros. Among other things, 20 more Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 30 Leopard 1 tanks and 4 Iris-T SLM anti-aircraft systems are to be provided by the German defense industry, the Ministry of Defense announced in Berlin on Saturday. Dpa