Ukraine - Selensky visits US European headquarters
During his unannounced visit to Germany, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the European headquarters of the US Armed Forces in Wiesbaden. Selenskyj confirmed this on X (formerly Twitter). He wrote: "Once again I was able to see for myself the excellent quality of US military assistance to Ukraine. We desperately need it for victory!" He added the expectation that the US Congress would soon decide to continue the aid.
On a trip lasting several days, Zelensky had also previously visited Washington, where the hoped-for aid is stuck in the dispute between Republicans and Democrats.
Today, Selenskyj's plane landed in Frankfurt, from where he was driven - accompanied by a police escort - to the Clay barracks in Wiesbaden-Erbenheim. According to the US Armed Forces, the President met with General Christopher Cavoli, the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe.
The two discussed ongoing US support for Ukraine to meet urgent needs on the battlefield, including the 200 million dollars (around 182 million euros) in military aid recently provided by the United States, the regional command said. These are already approved funds. The release of new aid is currently being blocked in the US parliament.
The ongoing efforts to train the Ukrainian armed forces were also discussed during the talks, it was reported. Selenskyj also met with representatives of the international contact group for the coordination of arms deliveries to Ukraine.
US parliament blocks further aid for Ukraine
Selensky had only met with US President Joe Biden and members of Congress in the US capital Washington on Tuesday to request further support for the country attacked by Russia. Biden left no doubt about his fundamental stance that the USA must continue to support Ukraine. But he also dampened Zelenskyi's expectations that further US aid would be approved quickly - although he once again warned of the consequences in no uncertain terms. According to the government in Washington, the US aid approved for Ukraine to date will be used up by the end of the year.
After the visit to Wiesbaden, Selenskyj flew out of Frankfurt Airport again, as a spokesman for the federal police there confirmed in the early evening. The new flight destination was not disclosed. The short visit took place at a time when the EU summit in Brussels was struggling to agree to accession negotiations with Ukraine.
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Source: www.stern.de
