Governmental Affairs - Zelensky arrives for Ukraine summit, delivers address at the German parliament.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President, has arrived in Berlin to join an international event focused on rebuilding his country. The conference is set to kick off on Tuesday with Zelensky and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD). Prior to the event, Zelensky also intends to have a conversation with Scholz, which he confirmed on a public platform on Monday night. Besides, in the afternoon, Zelensky is scheduled to address the German parliament (Bundestag). This is the President's third trip to Berlin since Russia's invasion more than two years ago.
"In light of Russia's relentless air attacks, we'll prioritize finding quick-fix solutions for Ukraine's energy sector," Zelensky shared his intentions. During his meeting with Scholz, he aspires to discuss more support for defense, enlarging Ukraine's air defense, and collaborating on arms manufacturing. Additionally, the two leaders will prepare for the peace conference scheduled for June 15 and 16 in Switzerland. Other meetings have been arranged with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Bundestag President Bärbel Bas.
At the reconstruction conference, over 2000 participants are anticipated, from politics, business, and international organizations. The event serves to network the necessary actors rather than a donor conference that collects funds for rebuilding.
In March 2022, just three weeks following the commencement of Russia's attack on Ukraine, Zelensky addressed the parliamentarians in the Bundestag. He spoke to them live, nearly soliciting more military backing from the Federal Chancellor: "Dear Federal Chancellor Scholz, please shatter this barrier. Let Germany claim its rightful leadership role."
Since then, Germany has been ranked the second-biggest backer of Ukraine in both military and financial aid, trailing only the United States. Nevertheless, Chancellor Scholz remains noncommittal, denying Zelensky's request for Taurus missiles with a 500-kilometer range and discouraging the deployment of NATO troops to Ukraine. In contrast, French President Emmanuel Macron recently announced his plan to send military instructors to the war zone. [end of paraphrasing]
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Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President, discussed the need for quick-fix solutions in Ukraine's energy sector due to Russia's air attacks during his Berlin visit. Zelensky is expected to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and discuss defense support, expanding Ukraine's air defense, and collaborating on arms manufacturing. The two leaders will also prepare for the June peace conference in Switzerland. At the reconstruction conference in Berlin, over 2000 participants from politics, business, and international organizations will network, rather than collecting funds for rebuilding. Russia's invasion of Ukraine two years ago has led to multiple conflicts, causing Zelensky to appeal to Scholz for more military backing during his first trip to the Bundestag. Since then, Germany has become Ukraine's second-biggest supporter in both military and financial aid, after the United States.
Despite this, Chancellor Scholz has remained noncommittal, refusing to provide Taurus missiles with a 500-kilometer range and discouraging the deployment of NATO troops to Ukraine. This contrasts with French President Emmanuel Macron's plan to send military instructors to the war zone. The ongoing conflicts between Ukraine and Russia have complicated international relations, leading to diplomatic meetings and negotiations between world leaders, including Volodymyr Selensky and Olaf Scholz, in Berlin.
