Ukraine received new major support from Germany. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he would like the war with Russia to end in 2025.
Zelensky's visit to Berlin is part of a wider European tour during which he is presenting a five-step "Ukraine Victory Plan".
"I would like this to happen no later than next year, 2025," Zelensky said at a briefing with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, adding: "It is very important for us that this aid does not decrease next year."
Scholz emphasized that support for Ukraine will not weaken.
"Peace in Ukraine can only be achieved on the basis of international law. We will not accept a peace dictated by Russia," added the chancellor.
At a joint press conference, Scholz revealed that Germany is providing an aid package to Ukraine worth 600 million euros. It includes a fifth medium-range IRIS-T system, armored vehicles, tanks, howitzers, ammunition and unmanned aerial vehicles.
"By the end of the year, with the support of partners - Belgium, Denmark, Norway - we will deliver to Ukraine another package worth 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion)," said Scholz. It will include IRIS-T, Skynex and Gepard anti-aircraft weapons, as well as artillery, armored vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles, radars and ammunition.
"I am grateful to Germany and to you personally, Olaf, for the powerful assistance to Ukraine," Zelensky stressed, noting that Berlin provided the most important support in terms of air defense.
Germany has given Ukraine at least three Patriot systems, as well as several Gepard and IRIS-T systems.
Zelensky's visit to Germany follows his trips to Britain, France and Italy, where he met with the leaders of the respective countries to present Ukraine's five-step victory plan.
Ukraine's head of state is touring European countries to drum up support for the plan, which Kiev describes as a path to a just and lasting peace.
The situation in the besieged country is becoming increasingly dire as Russian forces continue to press east and the population faces energy shortages in the coming winter. Meanwhile, Donald Trump's potential return to the White House next month is raising concerns about waning US support. | BGNES
