Washington and Warsaw, Paris, London and Brussels, Helsinki and The Hague: Zelenskyy has already visited a number of allies since the Russian attack on his country. Does he also come to Germany?
Massive police presence, roadblocks, strictly isolated Chancellery: The security precautions in Berlin’s government district will be as high as seldom before when Chancellor Olaf Scholz receives one of the most important visitors since taking office 17 months ago this weekend.
The emphasis is on the word “if”. Because even on Friday it is still not clear whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj is actually coming to Germany for the first time since the Russian attack on Ukraine.
Since the Berlin police reported details of the plans for the visit a week ago, there has been heated speculation. The indiscretion has jeopardized the visit. Because Zelenskyj’s trips abroad, of which there have already been a few, are usually kept secret until the last minute for security reasons.
How likely is the visit?
The chances are pretty good. On Friday, the office of Italian President Sergio Mattarella announced that Zelenskyy will come to Rome on Saturday. He is expected to be received there by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Pope Francis. The announcement does not yet mean a hundred percent guarantee for the visit to Italy – something can always come up for a president who is at war. If the trip to Italy stays the same, there shouldn’t be anything standing in the way of a visit to Germany.
Which countries has Zelenskyy already visited?
Zelenskyy did not leave his country at all in the first ten months after the Russian invasion. He then flew to Washington just before Christmas to meet US President Joe Biden. On the way back he stopped in Poland and met the head of state Andrzej Duda there. Visits to London, Paris, Brussels, Warsaw, Helsinki and The Hague followed.
How does Zelenskyy travel?
On his previous trips abroad, he was traveling in a special train similar to the one that Scholz took to Kiev last June with French President Emmanuel Macron and then Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi: rustic saloon car, comfortable bedroom. From Kiev we first went to southern Poland, from where Zelenskyj was usually picked up by the host country’s military aircraft. In hindsight, it was no longer kept a secret.
What is the reason for the possible visit to Germany?
Germany is one of the most important supporters of Ukraine – both militarily and financially. Since the beginning of the war, the federal government has approved arms deliveries worth 2.75 billion euros – significantly more than some other countries such as France, which Zelenskyy has already visited. That would actually be reason enough to come to Germany. But there is also a specific date to which Zelenskyj is invited. On Sunday afternoon he and the Ukrainian people will be honored in Aachen with the Charlemagne Prize for services to European unity. Chancellor Scholz will hold the laudatory speech – even if Selenskyj cannot be there himself. Other speakers will be EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.
What expectations does Selenskyj have of meeting Scholz?
“Tactically, of course, it’s all about guns, because to win the war you need guns, guns, and more guns.” In a recent “Bild” interview, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba formulated his country’s expectations of Germany – also with a view to the expected Ukrainian counter-offensive. Specifically, he named artillery ammunition, especially for long range, armored vehicles and anti-aircraft systems. “All of this is available in Germany and Germany has delivered. And Germany can deliver even more,” said Kuleba.
Is Scholz ready to deliver more?
In principle yes. The motto is: Ukraine will be supported as long as it is necessary – including militarily. A new quality of weapons is not intended. So far, Scholz has rejected the delivery of Western-style fighter jets as not sensible.
Will it still be about fighter jets?
That may be. Ukraine hopes for delivery of American F16 fighter jets. The Bundeswehr doesn’t have that to offer, because it flies Tornados and Eurofighters instead. Nevertheless, Kiev is counting on Scholz to help convince the United States to deliver the fighter jets. “What we expect from Germany is to play an active role in building a coalition of countries: who will convince the United States to push the green button?” Kuleba said. Germany could do a lot here.
What else could Zelenskyj address?
Ukraine’s desire to join NATO. Zelenskyj hopes that NATO will pave the way for this at its summit in July. For Germany and many other NATO partners, however, this is not yet on the agenda.
How is the mood in the German population?
The war now plays a much smaller role in the German public than it did a few months ago. The majority of Germans want negotiations between Ukraine and Russia on a peace solution. According to a current survey by the opinion research institute YouGov on behalf of the German Press Agency, 55 percent are in favor of talks aimed at ending the war. Only 28 percent are against it. Ukraine, on the other hand, is currently categorically ruling out such negotiations and instead is initially demanding a complete Russian troop withdrawal from its territory – including the Crimean Peninsula.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
