German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made an unannounced trip to Kyiv on Monday, marking his first visit to the Ukrainian capital in two and a half years. The visit, shrouded in secrecy for security reasons, saw Scholz arrive by train and engage in talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Scholz's unexpected arrival was reported by the German news agency DPA. In a post on social media, the Chancellor emphasized Germany's unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine. "I travelled to Kyiv tonight: by train through a country that has been defending itself against the Russian war of aggression for over 1,000 days," he wrote. "I would like to make it clear here on the ground that Germany will remain Ukraine's strongest supporter in Europe."
His visit comes at a crucial time as Germany prepares to head into elections in 2025. The DPA reports that leaders within Germany's Green Party have been distancing themselves from Chancellor Scholz's Ukraine policy, signaling potential shifts in the political landscape ahead of the elections.
Scholz has pledged to provide Ukraine with weaponry worth €650 million in December. This commitment underscores Germany's continued financial and military support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict.
This visit also follows a significant diplomatic development – a phone call between Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin on November 15th. It was the first conversation between the two leaders in nearly two years. According to DPA, Scholz urged Putin to engage in peace talks with Ukraine during the call.
While German officials continue to champion Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, Russia has maintained a staunchly opposing stance. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, as reported by Russian state media TASS, characterized the conversation between Scholz and Putin as positive. He emphasized that any potential agreement to end the conflict "should take into account the security interests of the Russian Federation."
The Kremlin expressed no expectations regarding Scholz's visit to Kyiv, stating they are "closely monitoring all news from Kiev," according to TASS.
