German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose government plans to cut the budget for bilateral military aid to Kiev next year, reaffirmed Germany’s “continued and unwavering solidarity” with Ukraine during a phone call today with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“The chancellor reaffirmed continued and unwavering solidarity with Ukraine in the face of Russia’s continued aggression. President Zelensky thanked the federal government for its continued military support, particularly in the area of ​​air defense.”the chancellery announced in a summary report on the phone call, which took place on the day of Ukraine’s independence celebrations.

In Kiev, the Ukrainian presidency announced that President Zelensky had briefed the German chancellor on the situation on the battlefield following Ukraine’s invasion of Russia’s Kursk region, and that the two leaders discussed the need to bolster the armed forces with air defense systems. and armored vehicles.