Germany okays $2.95 billion arms for Ukraine ahead of Zelenksky’s visit

Kwekwu Thomas, DPA, Saturday, May 13, 2023

 

BERLIN – Berlin has promised Kiev further arms deliveries worth €2.7 billion ($2.95 billion) ahead of a possible visit to Germany by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the German Defence Ministry said on Saturday.

Twenty more Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 30 Leopard-1 tanks and four IRIS-T-SLM air defence systems are to be provided as part of the package, the Defence Ministry announced in Berlin.

Zelensky is due to be awarded the prestigious Charlemagne Prize in the German city of Aachen on Sunday on behalf of the Ukrainian people. It remains unclear whether he will attend the prize ceremony in person.

There had been much speculation about the Ukrainian leaders’ visit since information was leaked by Berlin police, making it unclear whether he would attend the prize ceremony in the western city of Aachen in person.

The visit marks the first time the Ukrainian leader will visit Germany since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of his country in February 2022.

Whether Zelensky will arrive on Saturday evening or on Sunday remains unclear. The Ukrainian leader is currently in Rome meeting with Italian leaders and Pope Francis.