German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday announced a 1.4 billion euro ($1.53 billion) military aid package for Ukraine until the end of 2024. and told President Volodymyr Zelensky that it is a signal to Russia that the West will not stop supporting kyiv.
The aid will be provided jointly with partner countries Belgium, Denmark and Norway and includes more anti-aircraft defensetanks, combat drones and artillery.
“It’s a clear message to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin: playing with time won’t work. We will not relent in our support for Ukraine,” Scholz said.
Zelensky met this week with allies in Europe to present a “victory plan” to end the war, while pushing to be able to use long-range weapons that can strike deeper into Russian territory.
Details of his plan have not been publicly disclosed. A U.S. official described it as a repackaged call for more weapons and a lifting of restrictions on the use of long-range missiles.
“For us it is crucial that aid does not decrease next year,” said Zelensky alongside Scholz in the Berlin chancellery. The two men meet for the fourth time this year, and Zelensky He described it as one of the most important meetings since the war began.
“Today I will present to Olaf a plan on how, in our opinion, to force Russia to peace, that is, how to end this war, preferably no later than next year. And guarantee the non-repetition of the aggression,” he added.
Zelensky’s trip has been hampered by the cancellation of a major summit of allied leaders in Ramstein, Germany, scheduled for this month. after US President Joe Biden postponed his visit to focus on the fallout from Hurricane Milton.
