A new military aid package worth roughly $1.5 billion (1.4 billion euros) was announced by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the importance of maintaining aid levels to Ukraine next year.
The announcement came during Zelensky’s European tour to rally support for his “victory plan” aimed at ending the war with Russia.
Zelensky arrived in Berlin after visiting London, Paris and Rome on Thursday. His tour followed the cancellation of a planned summit with U.S. President Joe Biden and other allied leaders because of Hurricane Milton.
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky and German chancellor Olaf Scholz shake hands at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. The Germany leader promised $1.5 billion in further aid and weapons for Kiev.
Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Photo
Scholz highlighted that Germany is Ukraine’s biggest military supporter in Europe and the second largest overall after the U.S. He assured Zelensky that “it will stay that way.”
Scholz emphasized Germany’s commitment to air defense as part of the new aid package, which includes air defense systems, Gepard anti-aircraft guns, tanks, armored vehicles, combat drones, artillery ammunition and radar, with support from Belgium, Denmark and Norway.
Zelensky expressed gratitude for the aid but stressed the need to keep aid levels sufficient in the coming year.
“For us, it is very important that aid does not decrease next year,” he said. “It must be sufficient to protect people and lives.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) arrives for a private audience with Pope Francis at The Vatican on October 11. The pope has called repeatedly for an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, focusing on reaching a diplomatic solution.
Vatican Media/AP Photo
Germany’s budget allocates nearly $8.2 billion (7.5 billion euros) in military aid for Ukraine, while next year’s plan reduces that amount to $4.4 billion (4 billion euros). Berlin hopes that a $50 billion international loan package, funded by interest on profits from frozen Russian assets, will help finance aid. The system is expected to be in place by the end of the year.
Scholz reassured Zelensky, saying, “you can rely” on the new aid package. He also sent a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying that “playing for time won’t work; we won’t let up in our support for Ukraine.”
Although Zelensky has not publicly detailed his “victory” proposals, his efforts to secure European support may be influenced by the upcoming U.S. election. Former President Donald Trump, who is running against Vice President Kamala Harris, has been critical of U.S. aid to Ukraine.
Ukraine’s army is under heavy pressure in the eastern Donetsk region, where Russian forces have recently gained control of parts of Vuhledar and Toretsk. Zelensky wants to secure more aid to stop further losses. He said that Ukraine “would want to end the war no later than in 2025.”
Earlier on Friday, Zelensky met with Pope Francis at the Vatican for a 35-minute discussion on the state of the war and the humanitarian situation in Ukraine. The meeting followed multiple contacts between Zelensky and the pope since the war began with Russia’s invasion on February 24, 2022.
This article includes reporting from the Associated Press.
