Scholz announced multi-billion aid packages for Ukraine

Scholz announced multi-billion aid packages for Ukraine

Germany will allocate significant aid packages to support Ukraine’s defense efforts. This was announced by Chancellor Olaf Scholz at a joint briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before the start of their talks.

"By the end of the year, with support from our partners in Belgium, Denmark, and Norway, we will deliver another package worth 1.4 billion euros to Ukraine," Scholz emphasized.

This package will include air defense systems Iris-T, Skynex, anti-aircraft guns Gepard, self-propelled artillery units, armored vehicles, combat drones, radars, and ammunition.

"And next year, we will continue the military support for Ukraine - 4 billion euros are already included in our budget. This is direct bilateral military assistance," Scholz announced.

Additionally, the German Chancellor reported that the G7 countries are providing Ukraine with an additional 50 billion euros in loans this year, according to the decision of the G7 summit in Apulia.

Furthermore, as noted by Scholz, a new comprehensive military aid package worth 600 million euros has already been delivered to Ukraine by Germany. This support includes the fifth Iris-T SLM air defense system, infantry fighting vehicles, tanks, howitzers, ammunition, and drones.

Scholz emphasized that the provision of military aid to Ukraine continues, with air defense systems remaining central.

"We recently allocated an additional 170 million euros to quickly address the worst breakdowns and restore heating and energy supply," Scholz added.

The Chancellor assured that Ukraine can rely on support.

"This is a clear message to Putin: playing for time will not yield results! We will continue to support Ukraine," Scholz stressed.

Additionally, the German Chancellor assured that "this determination and firm position are the foundation on which we will jointly seek all possibilities to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine."

Scholz advocates for a second peace summit

Scholz noted that he supports holding a second Peace Summit and that Russia should be invited to this summit.

"We are unanimous that there should be a subsequent conference after the first one in Bürgenstock in June... And Russia should also participate in it," Scholz emphasized.

In his opinion, peace implementation is possible only on the basis of international humanitarian law. "And this will require extraordinary efforts from us to achieve a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. This is the thread of our joint activity. We cannot accept a dictated ’peace’ from Russia," said Scholz.

In turn, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that he is currently familiarizing key partners with a strategy for approaching peace for Ukraine.

"This is a plan of completely clear steps. Realistic, in our opinion, steps that can push the whole situation towards true peace. Ukraine desires a just and rapid end to this war more than anyone else in the world. The war destroys our country, takes the lives of our people, and Ukrainians have always done everything to prevent this war from reaching our land," Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian President expressed gratitude to Germany for the assistance, particularly for the provision of air defense systems.

"It is very important for us that the help does not decrease next year," Zelenskyy emphasized.

The head of state also thanked Germany for supporting the Peace Formula. At the same time, Zelenskyy drew attention to the fact that Russia is evading honest diplomacy, namely from finishing the war justly and based on the UN Charter.

"Today I will present Olaf with a plan, which we believe, can compel Russia to peace, that is, how to end this war. We hope it will be no later than in the next year, 2025, and guarantee non-repetition of aggression. This plan is a bridge to conducting an effective peace summit that will truly put an end to the war. That is, this plan is not a replacement for our peace initiative but strengthens Ukraine’s position to approach peace," Zelenskyy said.

He noted that this can be done in interaction with all partners and relies on Germany’s support.