Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Germany to discuss a €2.7 billion arms delivery with his German counterpart Franz-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Zelenskyy’s trip to Germany is his first since Russia invaded Ukraine in March of last year. He stated that his visit would be devoted to a "powerful package" of arms being sent to Ukraine as well as to the country’s future "reconstruction".
He arrived late on Saturday evening in the German capital of Berlin, having spent the day in Italy where he met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni who pledged to support Ukraine "as long as necessary".
The Ukrainian President then met with Steinmeier at 08:45 on Sunday morning and is expected to hold talks with the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who promised to deliver arms and weapons to the war-torn state.
Zelenskyy's trip to Germany comes amid reports that the Ukrainian army is preparing for a counter-offensive against Russian troops to win the war. Russia’s army has not stopped its offensive though, having launched an air raid on the city of Ternopil, the home city of the Ukrainian entry for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
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Additionally, Zelenskyy will be given the Charlemagne Prize in the German city of Aachen, a prize normally awarded to those working for European unification. The award has been given to both the Ukrainian head of state and its people this year.
"The Charlemagne Prize recognises with this award that freedom and the fundamental principles of Europe must, if necessary, be defended by force," argued Jürgen Linden, the director of the prize's organising committee.
