German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Kyiv on December 2. This is his first trip to Ukraine's capital in two and a half years.
Scholz met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to express Germany’s continued support in the face of Russian aggression, according to German media and the Kyiv Independent.
This visit follows Scholz’s controversial phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which drew criticism from Ukrainian officials.
Under Scholz’s leadership, Germany has become Ukraine’s second-largest military donor after the U.S.
However, the chancellor has faced criticism for his cautious approach to some military aid, particularly his refusal to supply Taurus long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine.
Speaking at a recent party conference in Berlin, Scholz reiterated his reservations about providing the missiles, warning, “You don’t play Russian roulette with Germany’s security.”
Scholz’s visit comes as Germany heads toward February snap elections, where Friedrich Merz, leader of the opposition CDU/CSU party, is emerging as a strong contender.
Merz has proposed a more aggressive stance against Russia, including issuing an ultimatum to Putin to end the war. If Putin refuses, Merz suggests lifting restrictions on all previously supplied weapons and approving the delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine.
Scholz last visited Kyiv in June 2022, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and then-Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
