German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has made an unexpected visit to Kyiv, vowing his country would remain Ukraine's biggest supporter in Europe and promising delivery this month of military aid worth €650 million.
The visit, his second since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago, signals Germany's support at a time of uncertainty ahead of president-elect Donald Trump taking the reins at the White House and as Russian forces make territorial gains.
The German chancellor's visit also comes as he faces a tough battle for re-election at a snap vote in February after his coalition collapsed in November.
It is his second Ukraine visit since Russia launched its invasion in early 2022.
At the meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, Mr Scholz said he would "announce further military equipment worth 650 million euros, which is to be delivered in December."
His record on supporting Ukraine has been under scrutiny both from those who wanted him to do more to help Kyiv and, on the other side, those voters who want Germany to pull back from sending weapons and aid to Ukraine.
"With my renewed visit here in Kyiv, I would like to express my solidarity with Ukraine," said Mr Scholz.
"I would like to make it clear here on the ground that Germany will remain Ukraine's strongest supporter in Europe.
"Ukraine can rely on Germany - we say what we do. And we do what we say."
The German chancellor has argued for a mix of strong military support and diplomacy to eventually end the conflict in a way that safeguards Ukraine's sovereignty.
Mr Scholz in mid-November became the first Western leader in years to speak in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Mr Zelensky at the time slammed the call, charging that it had opened a "Pandora's Box" by weakening Mr Putin's international isolation.
Playing 'Russian roulette' with Germany's security
In the call, Mr Scholz condemned the war and "urged Russia to show willingness to negotiate with Ukraine with the aim of achieving a just and lasting peace", the chancellor's office said.
Under Mr Scholz, Germany has become the second-biggest arms supplier to Ukraine after the United States, but has refused to send Ukraine long-range missiles that could strike deep inside Russia.
Germany has stuck to that approach even after US President Joe Biden gave the green light for Ukraine to fire long-range ATACMS missiles into Russia for the first time.
In a campaign speech in Berlin on Saturday, Mr Scholz criticised political rivals pushing for Germany's Taurus long-range missile system to be delivered to Ukraine.
Speaking to his Social Democratic Party, Scholz said that confronting Russia, a nuclear power, with such a threat would amount to playing "Russian roulette" with Germany's security.
Meanwhile, Mr Zelensky said that Ukraine must find diplomatic solutions to retake some of its occupied territory, in an interview with Kyodo News published.
He said such steps could be considered "only when we know that we are strong enough".
Mr Zelensky said Mr Trump and his team were studying the Ukrainian "victory plan" and expected additional talks with them to explain "certain things in more detail," according to the report.
The EU's new top diplomat Kaja Kallas and head of the European Council Antonio Costa visited Kyiv in a symbolic show of support for Ukraine on their first day in office yesterday.
"We came to give a clear message that we stand with Ukraine, and we continue to give our full support," Mr Costa said.
The European Union's new leadership team is keen to demonstrate it remains firm on backing Ukraine at a perilous moment for the country nearly three years into its fight against Russia's all-out invasion.
It is a privilege to be in Kyiv alongside @eucopresident Costa and Commissioner Kos.
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) December 1, 2024
In my first visit since taking up office, my message is clear: the European Union wants Ukraine to win this war.
We will do whatever it takes for that. pic.twitter.com/swv1ZVAlyL
Tensions have escalated Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to strike government buildings in Kyiv with his new Oreshnik missile after firing it at Ukraine for the first time last month.
He said the move is a response to Ukraine getting the green light to strike inside Russia with US and British missiles, and he has threatened to hit back against the countries supplying the weaponry.
As winter begins Russia has also unleashed devastating barrages against Ukraine's power grid and on the frontline Ukraine's fatigued forces are losing ground to Russia's grinding offensive.
