He German head of state Frank-Walter Steinmeierreceived this Sunday at his official residence, the bellevue palaceto the ukrainian presidentVolodymyr Zelensky, who landed in Berlin from Rome shortly after midnight on his first visit to Germany since the beginning of the Russian invasion.
After his arrival at Bellevue Palace in a convoy of cars, Zelensky entered the guest book before beginning his meeting with the German president, in which, according to the media, four advisers from each party were going to be present.
“At the most challenging time in modern Ukrainian history, Germany has shown that it is our true friend and trustworthy allywhich is resolutely on the side of the Ukrainian people in the struggle to defend freedom and democratic values,” Zelensky said.
“Together we will win and return peace to Europe. Thank you, Mr. Federal President, for your personal support of Ukraine and your hospitality, ”he added.
It is expected that later the German chancellor, Olaf Schölzreceive Zelensky with military honors in Chancellery, after which will hold a private conversation and another small circle meeting followed by a press conference.
“Already in BerlinZelensky tweeted upon arrival in the German capital, adding: “Weapons. solid package. Air defense, reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security” .
The visit of the Ukrainian president takes place on the same day that the Charlemagne Prize award ceremony in the city of Aachen (western Germany), although it is unknown if Zelensky will go there to pick him up.
The newspaper Bild he said Zelensky’s flight to Aachen on a German government plane would be insured by the air force.
Scholz, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyenand the Polish Prime Minister, Mateusz MorawieckiThey will attend the ceremony.
The patronage of charlemagne prize announced last December the awarding of the award this 2023 to Zelensky and the whole of the Ukrainian population.
The police have considerably strengthened security in some areas of the center of the capital on the occasion of the visit of the Ukrainian president, especially around the government quarter. Several helicopters have been flying over the place.
Residents of the two affected areas around the Foreign Ministry and the President’s Office must carry an identification document with them.
You can’t drive on the river Spree either. at the height of the Federal Chancellery.
Zelensky’s trip to Germany comes a day after Berlin announced the granting of a new and comprehensive military aid package to Ukraine worth more than €2.7 billion and which will include, among other equipment, air defense systems, armored combat vehicles and artillery.
He german defense ministry explained that this package includes 18 wheeled howitzers, artillery ammunition, guided missiles for air defense systems and 4 IRIS-T SLM fire units and 12 IRIS-T SLS launchers.
The package also includes additional main battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, namely 30 Leopoard 1 A5 and 20 Marder, more than 100 armored fighting vehicles and more than 200 reconnaissance drones.
“We all hope for a quick end to this terrible war of Russia against the Ukrainian people, but unfortunately this is not in sight.”, said the defense minister, Boris Pistoriusit’s a statement.
“That is why Germany will provide all the help it can.for as long as necessary,” he said.
(With information from AFP and EFE)
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Source-www.infobae.com