Andriy Melnyk/dpa
Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Andriy Melnik called on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to take on far-reaching obligations to supply weapons to Ukraine.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi arrived in Kyiv on Thursday morning, June 16. Ukrainian Ambassador Andriy Melnyk called on the German Chancellor to make additional commitments on the supply of weapons during this trip.
“Ukrainians hope that the visit of Chancellor Olaf Scholz will not only have a symbolic meaning, but will also become a breakthrough in raising Germany's military assistance to a qualitatively new level. It is very important that the head of government sees the devastation from Russian aggression with his own eyes, also realized the urgency of why Ukraine needs to be supported in full force, much stronger and larger, with heavy weapons,” Andriy Melnyk said.
The Ukrainian ambassador noted that in Kyiv they hope that Scholz will finally give green light on the requested 88 Leopard 1 main battle tanks and 100 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, which Rheinmetall can supply immediately.
We also call on Olaf Scholz to provide heavy weapons from the Bundeswehr stocks that will not reduce Germany's ability to defend itself. Nothing will prevent Germany from making a significant part of its own 800 Fuchs transport tanks, 325 Leopard 2 tanks or 380 Marder tanks to defeat Russian troops, Melnyk said.
Although Ukraine needs much more weapons that Germany has. First of all, what concerns the sea. It is necessary to free Ukrainian ports from the Russian blockade.
“Ukraine needs German submarines, corvettes, patrol and combat boats to protect the long Black Sea coast and eliminate Russia's maritime advantage. This also guarantees freedom of navigation and food security,” Melnyk said.
Scholz, Macron's visit and Draghi to Kyiv: highlights
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi arrived in the capital of Ukraine on Thursday morning on a special train.
The main topics of discussion between the leaders of the countries are support for Ukraine in the war with Russia and the desire of our state to join the EU.
Scholz, Macron and Draghi arrived in Kyiv by train. To do this, they went to Poland by plane, after which they transferred to a special train, which went to Kyiv at night. The airspace over our country is closed.
They also went together to Irpin to see with their own eyes the consequences of the Russian occupation.
They were joined in Kyiv by the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, who arrived separately.
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Scholz, Macron and Draghi represent the top three most populous and economically strong EU countries. All three states belong to the G7, in which democratic economic forces have united. Germany is now leading this group, and France is chairing the EU.
Scholz has been repeatedly criticized for being too slow in supporting Ukraine, as well as blocking the delivery of heavy weapons. The German chancellor explains all his actions by his unwillingness to once again irritate the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
