14 May 2023 , 18:35
1200
0
President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Germany today for the first time since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian leader met Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and received the prestigious Charlemagne Prize.
The award recognises those doing most to promote European unity, with former winners including Winston Churchill and Bill Clinton.
The visit came a day after Germany unveiled its biggest military aid package yet.
Berlin said it would supply £2.4billion worth of weapons, including Leopard tanks and antiaircraft systems, to Kyiv.
Six teachers open up on 'difficult' strike decision - and why they are doing it
President Zelensky’s plane arrived in Germany at 1am escorted by two military jets.
He flew in from Italy overnight after meeting government leaders in Rome and having a private audience with Pope Francis.
A wounded Ukrainian soldier at a medical stabilisation point near Bakhmut, Donetsk region (Iryna Rybakova/AP/REX/Shutterstock)The Ukrainian leader, 45, said his country is preparing a counter offensive on areas occupied by Russia.
He denied speculation that Ukraine may try to capture areas in Russia and use them as bargaining chips in possible peace negotiations.
He said in Berlin: “We don’t attack Russian territory, we liberate our own legitimate territory. We have neither the time nor the strength [to attack Russian territory].
This is the first time President Volodymyr Zelensky has visited Germany since the war (CLEMENS BILAN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)“And we also don’t have weapons to spare, with which we could do this.”
He is visiting allies in search of further arms to help his country fend off the Russian invasion, as well as funds to rebuild Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives for the ceremony in Germany (JULIEN WARNAND/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)Mr Zelensky thanked Chancellor Scholz for Germany’s political, financial and military support.
He said the country was now second only behind the US in providing aid to Ukraine.
Mr Scholz told him: “We will support you for as long as necessary."
Dominic Raab could resign to avoid investigation into bullying, accusers fear