Zelenskyj's reconciliation visit to Germany

2023-05-14 13:55:22

For weeks there was speculation as to whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj would finally come to Germany for the Charlemagne Prize ceremony in Aachen. The last doubts about his visit were only dispelled when he boarded a VIP A319 aircraft with the inscription “Federal Republic of Germany” on Saturday at around 10:45 p.m. in Rome.Berlin. The Bundeswehr normally flies the chancellor, the federal president or ministers through world history with it. For Selenskyj she makes a rare exception.

In Rome, the Ukrainian President met Pope Francis and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. So first Berlin, before we continue to Aachen. A week ago, an indiscretion by the Berlin police about planning details called the visit into question. It is now finally clear that it will take place under the strictest security precautions: Largely cordoned off government quarters, snipers, sealed manhole covers – security level one, which only applies to visits by extremely high-risk state guests, such as Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu most recently.

On the way over the Alps to Berlin, Selenskyj is sometimes escorted by two Eurofighter fighter jets. At 00:24 he lands safely at the military part of BER Airport in Schönefeld near Berlin. “Already in Berlin. Weapons. Strong package. Air defence. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security,” he tweeted shortly afterwards. The strong package means a welcome that the federal government sent the President in advance on Saturday: a new weapons package worth 2.7 billion euros with additional battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, anti-aircraft systems, reconnaissance drones and ammunition.

A visit by the President to Germany is only worthwhile if Germany has something to offer, Ukrainians have repeatedly rumored. With the package, the federal government has lived up to this expectation. “This is a very important and strong help, thank you very much, Olaf, for that,” says Selenskyj, standing next to Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) in the Chancellery on Sunday afternoon. Before that, he had briefly stopped by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, then a reception with military honors in front of the Chancellery, a conversation with Scholz, and a press conference.

Zelenskyj wears a sweatshirt and military trousers, Scholz a suit and tie. The mood is relaxed, Scholz promises “dear Volodymyr” further support for the defense against the Russian attackers as long as this is necessary. Selenskyj praises the German help. “We will work to get Germany first in terms of support,” he says with a wink. Not a word more about the Chancellor’s reticence and hesitation in providing military aid.

Things were very different in the first few months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Unforgotten is Zelenskyj’s video message in the Bundestag a few weeks after the start of the war, when the President begged the Chancellor for more military support. “Dear Chancellor Scholz, tear down this wall. Give Germany the leadership that Germany deserves.”

Scholz was the bogeyman for Selenskyj for a long time – until the Panzer turnaround

As recently as February of this year, Zelenskyy complained about the chancellor in a “Spiegel” interview, although Germany was already at the forefront of military aid at the time: “I have to put pressure on to help Ukraine and constantly convince him that this aid is not for us, but for the Europeans,” said the Ukrainian President.

A few days later, however, the promise of German Leopard 2 main battle tanks changed quite a bit. Germany forged an international tank alliance in support of Ukraine and even got the US to pledge their Abrams tanks. The new multi-billion-dollar weapons package is now doing the rest so that Scholz is no longer the bogeyman for Ukraine when it comes to military aid. The President’s visit to Germany marks a turning point in German-Ukrainian relations. And Scholz is no longer the Chancellor, but Olaf for Selenskyj.

But the two are not quite on the same wavelength. At the press conference, Zelenskyy asked Germany to form a coalition with other partners to supply modern fighter jets. Russia currently has a predominance in the airspace, he said as a reason. Scholz made it clear that he currently does not want to provide weapons of a new quality. He referred to the German support of Ukraine in air defense. “That’s what we as Germans are concentrating on now.”

Selenskyj may not like the answer. But he doesn’t want to put pressure on Scholz this Sunday. When asked by a Ukrainian journalist whether the German military aid was sufficient, he joked: “A few more visits and then it will be enough.”