President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine meets Germany leader in Berlin on Sunday morning, the day after Germany announced biggest package military aid to Kyiv and as the two countries seek to turn the page after months of fractured relations.
Escorted by German warplanes, Mr Zelensky was the first to arrive in Germany since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began more than a year ago. He first met President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Berlin’s Bellevue Palace and was later received by Chancellor Olaf Scholz with an honorary rank at the chancellery.
Zelensky’s solemn reception came despite the fact that Mr. Scholz, whose country is one of Ukraine’s biggest financial and military backers, was one of the last European leaders to be elected. visiting wartime president.
Mr. Zelensky and Mr. Scholz are hoping to improve relations after a year marred by diplomatic criticism and controversy over Berlin’s slower initial pace of supplying arms to Ukraine. Both sides are aware that their relationship will be more important than ever before Ukraine’s impending counter-offensive against Russia, in which a range of sophisticated Western-supplied weapons is expected. will play an important role.
“At one of the most difficult times in Ukraine’s modern history, Germany has proven to be our true friend and reliable ally, standing firm with the Ukrainian people in the fight to defend the values of Ukraine. freedom and democracy,” Zelensky wrote in the guestbook of Bellevue Palace on Sunday. “Together we will win and bring peace to Europe.”
Mr. Zelensky’s trip to Germany after his next visit Romanwhere peace negotiations were the main topic of meetings with Pope Francis and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
When asked about the negotiations, Zelensky’s government in Kiev has always said that its priority is to regain all of the territory Russia currently holds, including in Crimea, and this is achievable. through victories on the battlefield or through a decision made in Moscow. withdraw. President Vladimir V.Putin Russia shows no sign of wanting to make concessions or engage in meaningful dialogue on ending the war.
Some European officials have expressed concern that US support for Ukraine could wane if a Republican is elected president next year. Ukrainian and German officials have said separately that Mr. Zelensky may hope to persuade Mr. Scholz to play a more influential role in leading European support for the war and negotiations for a solution. potential for conflict.
That’s what the prime minister was reluctant to do.
Later on Sunday, Mr Zelensky is expected to travel to the western German city of Aachen to receive the prestigious Charlemagne award on behalf of him and the Ukrainian people. The award is given to those who are considered to have done the most to promote the unification of Europe.
Previous winners include Winston Churchill, Pope Francis, Angela Merkel and Bill Clinton. the judge’s decision to awards to Mr. Zelensky and the people of Ukraine highlights both how the war has united Europeans and the irony that Ukraine is not part of the European Union, despite Kiev’s strong pleas to join.
Russian missiles hit Ternopil in western Ukraine
Russia fired missiles at the Ternopil region in western Ukraine, Ukrainian officials said Sunday, hitting the homeland of Ukraine’s Eurovision group during a song contest and demonstrating Moscow’s ability to launch attacks frontline remote work.
The governor of the region, Volodymyr Trush, said the overnight attack involved cruise missiles and destroyed two homes. Telegram messaging app. He said other houses, buildings and vehicles were also damaged. While initial reports said two civilians were injured, as of Sunday morning, Mr. Trush said there were “no casualties from this unusual event.”
Ukraine’s participation in the Eurovision contest, the pop duo Tvorchi, wrote on it Instagram page that “Ternopil is the name of our homeland, which was bombed by Russia when we sang on the Eurovision stage about our hearts of steel, our indomitableness and our will.” Tvorchi completed in sixth place in the competition, which ends on Saturday night in Liverpool, England.
The attack took place deep in western Ukraine, less than 100 miles from Lviv, an area largely destroyed forgive the burden belligerent. It signaled that although the Kremlin’s arsenal may have been exhausted After 15 months of fighting, Russia is still capable of targeting almost any part of Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia carried out attacks across the country overnight with drones and cruise missiles. It says in a post on Telegram Air defenses intercepted 25 attack drones and three cruise missiles, but did not say how many passed.
The Ukrainian capital Kyiv was also among the targets. Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv’s military junta, said that Ukrainian soldiers had blocked and destroyed Russian spy drones take off in Kiev. It is not possible to immediately independently verify the statements.
However, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Army said in its report. Sunday morning update that the Kremlin’s primary focus remains eastern Ukraine, with Bakhmut and Maryinka “remaining at the heart of the fighting.” In recent days, Kiev’s forces have made advances in Bakhmut, where tens of thousands of soldiers are believed to have been killed.
