• Friday, 08 November 2024

Zelensky in Berlin for Ukrainian reconstruction conference

Zelensky in Berlin for Ukrainian reconstruction conference

Berlin, 11 June 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to to attend an international conference in Berlin on Tuesday to discuss the reconstruction of his country.

Zelensky, who arrived in the German capital on Monday evening, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz plan to open the conference on Tuesday morning.

About 2,000 politicians, political leaders and officials from international organizations are expected to attend the gathering.

The Berlin conference is aimed at bringing together people from around the world involved in development and reconstruction efforts in Ukraine. It is not expected to be a donor conference aimed at raising money.

"In the face of Russia's air terror, urgent solutions for Ukraine's energy sector will be our top priority," Zelensky wrote on X after arriving in Germany on Monday evening.

Talks with Scholz on "further defence assistance, the expansion of Ukraine's air defence system, and joint arms production" are also planned, he said.

In the afternoon, Zelensky is scheduled to give a speech to Germany's parliament, the Bundestag. The trip will be Zelensky's third visit to Berlin since Russia launched the full-scale invasion of his country in February 2022.

Zelensky previously spoke to Germany's parliament via a remote video connection on March 17, 2022, just three weeks after Russian troops launched the full-scale attack. At the time, Zelensky implored German lawmakers for more military support.

The German government was initially hesitant to provide Ukraine with heavy weapons and other armaments, but has since become a significant supplier of the Ukrainian military. Germany ranks behind the United States as Ukraine's second-largest supporter in terms of military and financial aid.

However, Scholz has continued to refuse some Ukrainian requests, including for advanced long-range Taurus cruise missiles. And unlike French President Emmanuel Macron, Scholz has strictly ruled out the possibility of deploying NATO troops to Ukraine.

Last week, Macron announced his intention to send military trainers to Ukraine together with other countries.

Photo: EPA