German leader's Kiev trip brings massive military support package
Germanys chancellor made an unexpected trip to Ukraine promising new military aid worth 650 million euros. The visit happens during his re-election campaign and amid Ukraines push for NATO membership
In a quick-planned journey Olaf Scholz arrived to Kiev on dec-2nd marking his second war-time visit to the country. The German head promised a big-scale military support package (worth about 650 million euros) that should reach Ukraine this month
The timing of Scholzs visit is tied to several key-points: his upcoming feb-25 re-election campaign domestic debates about weapon supplies and Ukraines push to join NATO. His trip shows Berlinʼs strong backing at a moment when Russian forces are moving forward in eastern regions
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the German leader planned talks about military aid but the Taurus missiles topic remains complex; Scholz dont want to risk direct conflict with Russia. Their meeting happens right before NATO discussions in Brussels where Ukraine hopes to get an alliance invite
The military support question splits German voters:
- Some want more weapons sent to Kiev
- Others prefer stopping any military help
- Many worry about possible Russia conflict
Germany will remain Ukraines strongest supporter in Europe
The conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz who leads in polls says Germany must send Taurus missiles to Ukraine; he thinks Scholzs worries about Russia are just vote-gathering tricks. The chancellors recent phone talk with Putin – first in almost 2 years – got much criticism from allies and Kiev too
