Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Berlin last Monday night for talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and to participate in a summit on the reconstruction of his country, he announced via X.

“Chancellor Soltz and I will discuss continued defense assistance, expansion of Ukraine’s air defense system and joint production of weapons,” Mr Zelensky said.

The German government recently approved the Ukrainian military’s use of German-made weapons to strike targets on Russian soil, something it, like other Western countries, has been reluctant to do, citing concerns about escalation.

After the Russian invasion of Ukrainian territory in February 2022, Germany buried its traditionally pacifist stance and has become the second largest supplier of military aid to Ukraine in absolute terms, behind only the US.

Mr Zelenskiy will participate today and tomorrow in a summit on the reconstruction of Ukraine, which will be attended by representatives of governments, including ten prime ministers, as well as private companies. “Our first priority will be urgent solutions for the Ukrainian energy sector,” stressed the Ukrainian president.

“I will also meet with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Bundestag President Berbel Bass,” and also “visit a military base where our soldiers are trained,” he added.

Mr. Zelensky is expected on Saturday and Sunday in Switzerland to participate in a “high-level summit on peace in Ukraine” with the participation of more than 90 countries and organizations, however not Russia, nor China.