Official announcements from European governments

Scholz Makes First Kyiv Visit in 2.5 Years, Pledges €650 Million Including Tanks and Air Defense

Dec 2, 2024, 08:35 AM

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made a surprise visit to Kyiv on December 2, marking his first trip to Ukraine in over two and a half years. Scholz traveled by train through the war-torn country to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and reaffirm Germany's support for Ukraine amid ongoing Russian aggression. During the visit, Scholz announced a new military aid package worth €650 million ($680 million), which includes Leopard 1 tanks, IRIS-T air defense systems, reconnaissance and strike drones, and other military equipment, to be delivered by December. The two leaders visited Ukrainian soldiers undergoing rehabilitation and paid tribute to fallen Ukrainian defenders in Kyiv. Scholz emphasized that Germany remains Ukraine's strongest supporter in Europe, stating, 'We say what we do. And we do what we say.'