Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Berlin on Tuesday, where he was received with military honors by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The high-profile visit underscored Germany’s continued commitment to supporting Ukraine amid ongoing hostilities with Russia.
During a joint press conference at the Chancellery, Merz reaffirmed Germany’s readiness to intensify military and humanitarian aid, pledging additional air defense systems and training programs for Ukrainian forces. He also expressed strong support for tighter sanctions against Russia, stating that “pressure must be maintained until peace is achieved on Ukraine’s terms.”
The leaders discussed potential frameworks for future peace negotiations, although Zelensky emphasized that no dialogue with Moscow is possible without the full withdrawal of Russian troops and the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
“We came to Berlin not only for promises, but for concrete actions,” Zelensky said. “Germany has already demonstrated leadership, and we believe it can do even more to help us end this war.”
The visit comes amid growing diplomatic efforts across Europe to coordinate a unified stance on Ukraine ahead of upcoming international summits. Analysts note that Zelensky’s presence in Berlin sends a clear message of resilience and ongoing Western solidarity.
Germany remains one of Ukraine’s largest European backers, and Merz’s center-right government has taken a more assertive stance on defense cooperation compared to previous administrations.
