Zelenskyy urges allies to maintain aid as Scholz pledges weapons package

Ukrainian president is on a European tour as he rallies support for his ‘victory plan’ to end Russia’s war.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says it is important that allies’ aid to Ukraine does not go down next year as he received a pledge of a new weapons package from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on a European tour meant to win backing for his “victory plan” aimed at ending the war with Russia.

On Friday, Zelenskyy thanked Germany for its continued support over the past two years during Ukraine’s war with Russia but said, “It is very important for us that this assistance does not decrease next year.”

The Ukrainian leader said he would present Scholz with his plan to win the war with Russia and said he hopes the conflict would end “no later than next year, 2025”.

“Ukraine more than anyone else in the world wants a fair and speedy end to this war,” Zelenskyy said.

“The war is destroying our country, taking the lives of our people,” he added.

Zelenskyy has repeatedly rejected any peace plan that involves Ukraine ceding land to Russia, arguing that Russian troops must withdraw from all Ukrainian land as a basis towards peace.

Alongside Zelenskyy, Scholz announced a 1.4 billion euro ($1.53bn) military aid package for Ukraine by the end of the year.

The aid will be jointly provided with partner countries, including Belgium, Denmark and Norway, and is expected to include air defences, tanks, combat drones and artillery.

“It is a clear message to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin – playing for time will not work. We will not let up in our support for Ukraine,” Scholz said.

The German leader added that he and Zelenskyy agreed on a peace conference that would include Russia and said peace “can only be brought about on the basis of international law”.

“We will not accept a peace dictated by Russia,” Scholz said.

Germany has been Ukraine’s biggest military aid supporter after the United States.

But with the US presidential election next month and the possibility of a win for former President Donald Trump, who has already cast doubt on continued support for Kyiv, Zelenskyy’s trip to Berlin came at a critical time.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy meets with Pope Francis
Zelenskyy meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican [Handout/Vatican Media via Reuters]

‘Just and stable peace’

Earlier on Friday, Zelenskyy met with Pope Francis at the Vatican for talks on the “incredibly painful” question of Ukrainians captured and deported to Russia.

The Vatican said Zelenskyy had discussed the war, “the humanitarian situation in Ukraine” and ways to reach a “just and stable peace”.

Francis has repeatedly called for an end to Russia’s war on Ukraine.

However, Francis sparked outrage in March when he urged Ukrainians to “raise the white flag and negotiate” to end the war.

Source

:

Al Jazeera and news agencies

Read More

  • Related Posts

    Neil Kinnock urges Labour ministers to commit billions of pounds more to defence

    Neil Kinnock urges Labour ministers to commit billions of pounds more to defence – amid warnings the UK would struggle to cope with a ballistic missile attack by Russia By…

    Pope Francis urges inquiry into Gaza genocide allegations

    The Catholic Church pontiff made his most explicit criticism yet of Israel’s conduct in extracts from an upcoming book. Pope Francis has called for an investigation to determine whether Israel…

    You Missed

    Alex Shorey poisoning: Major update after Aussie exchange student was allegedly poisoned by his Taiwanese girlfriend just months after the mysterious death of her husband

    • By poster
    • February 13, 2025
    • 1 views
    Alex Shorey poisoning: Major update after Aussie exchange student was allegedly poisoned by his Taiwanese girlfriend just months after the mysterious death of her husband

    Moment former CNN star Don Lemon’s leading questions backfire during live interview

    • By poster
    • February 13, 2025
    • 1 views
    Moment former CNN star Don Lemon’s leading questions backfire during live interview

    Ocado is ridiculed by customers over ‘atrocious’ Christmas substitute choices items after retailer suffers delivery malfunction

    • By poster
    • February 13, 2025
    • 1 views
    Ocado is ridiculed by customers over ‘atrocious’ Christmas substitute choices items after retailer suffers delivery malfunction

    Body found in search for missing woman, 61, who vanished 10 days ago: Police quizzing man over ‘murder’

    • By poster
    • February 13, 2025
    • 1 views
    Body found in search for missing woman, 61, who vanished 10 days ago: Police quizzing man over ‘murder’

    Grave warning on sex offender who vanished a day before Christmas as cops launch urgent hunt

    • By poster
    • February 13, 2025
    • 1 views
    Grave warning on sex offender who vanished a day before Christmas as cops launch urgent hunt

    Santa tracker 2024 LIVE: Follow where Father Christmas is right now as he delivers presents to kids around the world with the Norad map

    • By admin
    • February 12, 2025
    • 2 views
    Santa tracker 2024 LIVE: Follow where Father Christmas is right now as he delivers presents to kids around the world with the Norad map