Zelensky is received with military honors by Scholz in Germany

By Euronews en español con EFE • last update: 14/05/2023 – 10:48

Ukrainian President Volodomir Zelensky was received today with military honors by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, after meeting for about an hour this morning with German Head of State Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

After a strong and long handshake between Scholz and Zelenski, both greeted the respective representatives of both governments before taking a position on the red carpet to listen first to the Ukrainian anthem, followed by the German, after which they withdrew.

It is planned that Scholz and Zelensky will first hold a private conversation, followed by another meeting in a small circle before finally appearing before the press.

“Already in Berlin,” Zelensky tweeted upon arriving in the German capital shortly after midnight, adding: “Weapons. Solid package. Air defense, rebuild. EU. NATO. Security.”

Germany announced yesterday the granting of a new and extensive military aid package to Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion euros and which will include, among other equipment, air defense systems, armored combat vehicles and artillery.

The German Defense Ministry explained that this package includes 18 wheeled howitzers, artillery ammunition, guided missiles for air defense systems and 4 IRIS-T SLM fire units and 12 IRIS-T SLS launchers.

The package also includes additional main battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, namely 30 Leopoard 1 A5 and 20 Marder, more than 100 armored fighting vehicles and more than 200 reconnaissance drones. EFE

The Ukrainian president’s visit occurs on the same day that the Charlemagne Prize award ceremony is scheduled in the city of Aachen (western Germany), to which, according to the media, Scholz and Zelenski will fly together, although it has not been officially confirmed that he would personally go there to pick it up.

The Board of Trustees of the Charlemagne Prize announced last December that it would grant the award in 2023 to Zelensky and the entire Ukrainian population.

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