IRIA News

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Ukraine for the first time in more than two and a half years on December 2, 2024. Scholz unveiled a substantial $680 million (€650 million) military aid package for Ukraine.

Scholz arrived at Kyiv’s central station early on December 2 morning, smiling, and carrying a metal briefcase as he stepped off the train. He was greeted warmly by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy and Scholz embarked on a series of engagements, including a visit to a hospital where they met wounded Ukrainian war veterans. They also held discussions with Ukrainian drone manufacturers, underscoring Germany’s focus on bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

The visit carried symbolic weight, especially as Scholz faced criticism at home for a recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Addressing the press in Kyiv, Scholz emphasized Germany’s unwavering support for Ukraine.

Scholz said, “Russia should not be allowed to impose a dictated peace on Ukraine.” He further reiterated Germany’s commitment to delivering arms swiftly and declared that his country would remain Ukraine’s strongest supporter in Europe.

We must realize all opportunities to strengthen Ukraine—both at the front and in diplomacy. This also refers to the level of support for Ukraine – it is crucial for us that Germany, as the leader in providing support, does not reduce it next year – including financial aid. This… pic.twitter.com/aj8ZsZKcHZ

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 2, 2024

Scholz’s trip to Kyiv coincides with mounting pressure in Germany. He faces a confidence vote in two weeks and aims to secure re-election in February after his coalition government collapsed last month.

Public opinion on his Ukraine policy remains divided. Some Germans believe the government should halt weapons shipments to avoid further escalation, while others demand a more robust response, including the provision of long-range Taurus missiles, a request Scholz has so far resisted.

Speaking in Kyiv, Zelenskyy thanked Germany for its ongoing support but expressed hope for progress on the Taurus issue. “We are working to have more common ground on the Taurus issue,” he said while acknowledging Germany’s significant contributions thus far.

Scholz’s unannounced trip to Kyiv underscores the high stakes for both Germany and Ukraine. With the war set to play a pivotal role in Germany’s upcoming elections and international attention focused on how Europe navigates the uncertain geopolitical landscape, Scholz’s pledge of military aid and assurances of continued support was intended to solidify Germany’s position as a steadfast ally.

As Scholz and Zelenskyy stood side by side in Kyiv, their message was clear: the defense of Ukraine remains a shared priority, and the quest for a “fair, just, and lasting peace” will continue, despite the immense challenges ahead.

Political challenges

Scholz’s visit also came against the backdrop of heightened global uncertainties, particularly concerning the potential return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency. Trump has claimed he could end the war in Ukraine “within 24 hours”, a statement that has fueled anxiety in Kyiv and Europe about the future of Western support for Ukraine.

Germany’s role in the war has also resonated deeply with its citizens. German intelligence has warned of potential Russian aggression against Germany within five years, urging citizens to prepare by building shelters and stockpiling provisions.

The war in Ukraine is expected to dominate the upcoming elections, with both Scholz and his likely challenger, opposition leader Friedrich Merz, positioning themselves on the issue. Scholz has styled himself as a “chancellor of peace,” while accusing Merz of risking escalation through ultimatums to Russia.

Germany’s foreign minister in Beijing

While Scholz was in Kyiv, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was in Beijing, delivering a blunt message to her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. Baerbock criticized China’s support for Moscow, linking it to an intensification of the conflict.

“The Russian president is not only destroying our European peace order through his war against Ukraine but is now dragging Asia into it via North Korea,” she said, referencing North Korean troop deployments and Chinese-made drones reportedly used in the war.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and German Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock co-chaired the seventh round of the China-Germany Strategic Dialogue on Diplomacy and Security in Beijing https://t.co/26PkOL2hLm pic.twitter.com/vKUWpbIw3u

— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) December 3, 2024

Scholz’s phone call with Putin last month also loomed over his Kyiv visit. The chancellor defended the conversation, stating that he intended to reaffirm Western solidarity with Ukraine and assess Moscow’s stance on potential negotiations. However, the call marked the first direct engagement between a major Western leader and Putin since 2022, raising questions about its timing and effectiveness.