KYIV, Ukraine (AP) 鈥� German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Ukraine for the first time in more than 2 1/2 years Monday just weeks after he was criticized by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for having a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
That call came at a time of widespread speculation about what the new administration of President-elect Donald Trump will mean for Ukraine as the incoming president has promised to end the conflict. In a major shift, Zelenskyy signalled Friday that to territory under Kyiv鈥檚 control could end 鈥渢he hot stage of the war鈥� in Ukraine.
Scholz's visit comes ahead of an early German election expected in February. As the campaign gets under way, Scholz has pointed to Germany鈥檚 status as Ukraine's second-biggest supplier while also highlighting his 鈥減rudence鈥� in working to prevent the war escalating and refusing to deliver Taurus long-range cruise missiles.
Scholz said that, in his meeting with Zelenskyy, he will announce further military deliveries this month totaling 650 million euros.
鈥淚 would like to make clear here on the ground that Germany will remain Ukraine鈥檚 strongest supporter in Europe,鈥� he said.
Scholz was criticized by Zelenskyy in November for speaking to Putin in what appeared to be the first conversation with the sitting leader of a major Western power in nearly two years.
In that call Scholz urged Putin to be open but the Russian leader said any peace deal should acknowledge Russia鈥檚 territorial gains and security demands, including that Kyiv renounce joining NATO.
The Associated Press
