The President visits Germany. The journey took place with the Luftwaffe, guarded by fighter jets. There is a state of alert in Berlin.
As the music corps of armed forces When the Ukrainian national anthem plays, Volodymyr Zelenskyj puts his right hand on his heart. The President of Ukraine wears a black sweater, olive drab military trousers and black sturdy boots.
The serious situation in his country is written all over his face as he walks down the red carpet in front of the Chancellery alongside Olaf Scholz (SPD). Selenskyj walks with his legs apart, the weight on his shoulders can be seen in his posture. He’s a man at war.
Eurofighter as escort
The Ukrainian flag is hoisted in the courtyard of the Chancellery. It flutters back and forth in the morning breeze. The German flag flutters on the pole to the left, the European flag to the right. After his nightly arrival in Berlin Selenskyj tweeted what he is about in Germany: weapons, air defense, reconstruction, EU, NATO, security. He sees the future and security of his country in Europe, in NATO.
Selenskyj had landed in Berlin shortly after midnight. A German Air Force A319 aircraft had picked him up in Rome, where Zelenskyj was Prime Minister on Saturday Giorgia Meloni, President Sergio Mattarella and Pope Francis. In German airspace, two Luftwaffe Eurofighters escorted the plane to Berlin.
Snipers on the roofs
The highest safety standards apply to the visit: in the morning, helicopters circle over the government district. The streets around the Chancellery are cordoned off and access is only granted with special ID cards. Local residents were warned in advance by the police.
Shipping traffic on the Spree is blocked. The usual pleasure boats are not allowed to pass through the Chancellery on this early summer Sunday. Zelenskyj is considered the most endangered statesman in Europe. Snipers monitor the state guest’s visit from the roof of the Chancellery.
The visit of the Ukrainian President to Berlin is the first to Germany since the Russian attack in February 2022. Since then, relations between Berlin and Kiev have often been strained, especially in the first months of the war.
Relations between Ukraine and Germany are getting better
Ukraine often felt that the largest country in the EU was not being supported enough, too slowly. Scholz had to approach the weapons deliveries. His government is now supplying extensive armaments, including the heaviest equipment.
Mood between Berlin and Paris also improved as Germany increased arms sales to Ukraine. The new package praised Selenskyj as “powerful”.
Before the reception at the Chancellery, the Ukrainian head of state was with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Bellevue Palace in the morning. The relationship between Zelenskyj and Steinmeier was not always easy either. The reason was Steinmeier’s earlier attitude towards Russia when he was foreign minister – he was considered a friend of Russia. The Federal President did not go on a trip planned for April 2022, he was not wanted in Kiev. Steinmeier acknowledged mistakes and misjudgments in his policy towards Russia.
Selenskyj is waiting for commitments
Zelenskyi wrote in the guest book in Bellevue Palace on that day: “During the most difficult period in the modern history of Ukraine, Germany has proven itself to be our true friend and reliable ally, which in the struggle to defend freedom and democratic values resolutely stands at the side of the Ukrainian people.” Selenskyj writes largely in English, but in German he adds: “Thank you Germany!”
There are, however, issues on which Zelenskyy is waiting for German support: this still applies to the question of arms deliveries ahead of an expected counter-offensive. But also Germany’s political support for the country’s accession to the European Union and NATO.
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