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Chancellor Olaf Scholz (r) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj have signed a long-term security agreement.
© Kay Nietfeld/dpa
The Chancellor speaks of a historic step.
President Zelensky calls it vital.
Both countries are now linked to each other in the long term through a security pact.
Berlin - Germany has concluded a long-term security pact with Ukraine and pledged additional weapons worth around 1.1 billion euros for the defense against Russia.
Among other things, it includes the delivery of 36 howitzers from industrial stocks, 120,000 rounds of artillery ammunition, two additional air defense systems and Iris-T missiles, said Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) on Friday after a joint appearance with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj in Berlin.
In the presence of Dmytro Kuleba, Annalena Baerbock and Boris Pistorius, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (l) and Volodymyr Selenskyj sign a long-term security agreement.
© Kay Nietfeld/dpa
The security agreement goes back to a decision by NATO heads of state and government at their summit in Vilnius, Lithuania last July.
It was agreed there that all member states would conclude bilateral agreements to ensure Ukraine's long-term security.
Great Britain started in January.
The other NATO states should now gradually follow suit with their commitments.
In the evening, the French Emmanuel Macron also wanted to sign an agreement with Zelensky in Paris.
Scholz speaks of a historic step
The security agreement between the two countries takes a historic step further in supporting Ukraine, said Scholz.
The importance of the document should not be underestimated.
It is an assurance that Ukraine will provide support with arms deliveries for as long as necessary.
“The important thing is: Putin has not achieved any of his goals,” said Scholz.
The Ukrainian armed forces, on the other hand, were able to liberate more than half of the areas occupied by Russian troops.
“The resilience of the people of Ukraine is admirable.”
Scholz: “New quality” of relationships
Relations between Germany and Ukraine have “reached a completely new quality” in the past two years, said Scholz.
Germany has provided around 7.1 billion euros for military support to Ukraine in 2024 and 6 billion euros as commitment appropriations for the following years.
Overall, Germany has now provided services and resources as well as commitment appropriations amounting to around 28 billion euros for military support to Ukraine.
This makes Germany Ukraine's second largest military supporter.
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Zelenskyj speaks of “unprecedented document”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj thanked the federal government and the German people for supporting his country, which was attacked by Russia.
German aid is “vitally important for Ukraine, for our fighters at the front.”
“Our security agreement is truly an unprecedented document that reflects not only the level of bilateral relations, but also Germany’s fundamental role in maintaining normality in Europe and the world.”
Zelenskyj travels via Paris to Munich
Zelenskyj wanted to travel on to Munich via Paris in the afternoon.
Zelensky will appear at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday.
Further bilateral meetings are planned there, for example with US Vice President Kamala Harris.
The Ukrainian president opened the most important meeting of politicians and experts on security policy last year with a video address.
Now he is taking part in person for the first time since the Russian invasion almost exactly two years ago.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has arrived in Berlin and will be received by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
© Kay Nietfeld/dpa
It is Zelenskyj's second official visit to Germany since the Russian attack on his country.
In May last year he made his first visit to Berlin and Aachen to accept the Charlemagne Prize.
In addition, he made a brief stopover in Wiesbaden on a trip to Europe last December to visit the US armed forces stationed there, dpa