Berlin, 14 May 2023 (dpa/MIA) — President Volodymyr Zelensky said Western allies should not worry that Ukrainian forces will attack Russian territory with the powerful weapons he is asking to receive from them.

"We are not attacking Russian territory. We are liberating our lawful territory," Zelensky said in Berlin on Sunday at a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

"We have no time, no forces and no surplus weapons for this," he said.

Preparations for counteroffensive operations were focused exclusively on liberating "our territory, which is recognized by the whole world."

Earlier on Sunday, Zelensky expressed his country's thanks to Germany for its support during "the most challenging time in the modern history of Ukraine" after being welcomed by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin.

Hours before his arrival on his first visit to Germany since the Russian invasion in February last year, Germany announced a substantial increase in military supplies to Ukraine.

"Already in Berlin," Zelensky tweeted early on Sunday. "Weapons. Powerful package. Air defense. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security."

Signing the visitor's book at Steinmeier's official Berlin residence, Zelensky wrote in English: "Germany proved to be our true friend and reliable ally, which stands decisively side-by-side with the Ukrainian people in the struggle to defend freedom and democratic values."

Chancellor Olaf Scholz later received the Ukrainian president with military honours, Zelensky placing his hand on his heart as the Ukrainian anthem was played.

His last visit to Germany was to the Munich Security Conference days before the Russian invasion. He did not leave Ukraine again for 10 months, but has since visited Washington, Warsaw, Paris, London, Brussels, Helsinki and The Hague.

Zelensky, dressed in a black top and olive-green trousers, thanked Steinmeier personally after Germany announced a package of some €2.75 billion ($3 billion), including main battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, anti-aircraft systems and munitions.

His relations with Steinmeier after the invasion were fraught, resulting from Steinmeier's advocacy of pro-Russian policies during his time as foreign minister. In April last year, Steinmeier was forced to withdraw from a visit after Kiev indicated that he was not welcome.

The two leaders spoke by phone in May 2022 to clear the air, and Steinmeier visited Kyiv at the end of October.

At the end of Zelensky's visit to Berlin, consultations were planned on Sunday in the context of Scholz's security cabinet. In addition to Scholz, the committee includes Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

He was later to fly with Scholz to Aachen in the west of the country to receive the prestigious Charlemagne Prize, which was awarded to both Zelensky and the Ukrainian people in December and is now set to be handed over to the president in person.

Scholz is to speak at the event. Other speakers include European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. Scholz and Zelensky are expected to fly to Aachen from Berlin together.

The Charlemagne Prize, a non-monetary and largely symbolic award, was established in 1950 to celebrate efforts towards European unification.

Zelensky was being given the award for his efforts to counter the Russian attack on his country, said the organizers.

Not only was he the president of his people and commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, they said, but he was "also the motivator, communicator, the motor and the brace between Ukraine and its great array of supporters."

Last year, the Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and her two colleagues received the prize.