Before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s arrival in Berlin, the German government declared that it will give Ukraine further military assistance worth roughly $3 billion, including tanks, anti-aircraft systems, and ammunition.
Written by Chris Muhizi Minembwe Capital News 9:30pm Nairobi Kenya Time.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius stated on Saturday that Berlin intended to demonstrate “that Germany is serious in its support” for Ukraine with its most recent military aid package at 2.7 billion euros ($2.95 billion).
German support comes as Ukrainian military commanders claim their troops have retaken significant territory from Russian forces close to the destroyed eastern city of Bakhmut, which has evolved into the symbolic epicentre of the conflict between Kyiv and Moscow where their forces have fought for months in bloody urban warfare. Bakhmut has become the symbol of the struggle between Kyiv and Moscow.
Zelenskyy verified his early Sunday morning arrival in Germany, his first trip since Russia began its AGGRESSIVE invassion on Ukraine.
In a tweet, Zelenskyy stated, “Already in Berlin.” “Weapons. a strong bundle. Air protection. Reconstruction. EU and NATO. Security.”
After meeting with numerous Italian officials and Pope Francis on Saturday in Italy, Zelenskyy proceeded to Berlin. Zelenskyy was transported from Rome to the German capital by a German Luftwaffe plane.
The Ukrainian president saw Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni first and then spent 40 minutes with the 86-year-old pontiff at the Vatican.
After seeing the pope, Zelenskyy said on Telegram, “I am very grateful to him for his personal attention to the tragedy of millions of Ukrainians.” He said that they had also spoken about his peace ideas and the fate of the “tens of thousands of children” who Kyiv claims were transferred to Russia.
While initially reluctant to assist Kiev militarily, Germany has since emerged as one of Ukraine’s major arms suppliers, crucially approving the shipment of modern battle tanks in the form of its own Leopard 1 and 2 models as well as the sophisticated anti-aircraft systems required to fend off drone and missile attacks.
He declared that Germany will offer whatever assistance was necessary. Der Spiegel, a German weekly, was the first to report on the new military aid package, which consists of four IRIS-T SLM anti-aircraft systems, 200 reconnaissance drones, more than 100 combat vehicles, 30 Leopard 1 A5 tanks, 20 Marder armoured personnel carriers, and more.
