Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope on Friday that the war with Russia could end next year during a visit to Berlin, where he sought sustained military support from European allies. As Ukraine faces its third winter at war, Zelensky has been touring European capitals in search of backing and said he hoped to present his plan for winning the war to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Scholz pledged that Germany and EU partners would continue sending defence equipment this year and promised €4bn in aid in 2025, vowing not to let up in their support for Ukraine. He and Zelensky agreed on the need for a peace conference that includes Russia but stressed that any peace must be based on international law and not dictated by Russia.
Zelensky has been seeking fresh military and financial aid from his European allies amid fears of dwindling support if Donald Trump wins the US presidency next month. A scheduled Ukraine defence meeting at the Ramstein US air base in western Germany was postponed after US President Joe Biden called off a state visit to Germany because of Hurricane Milton.
Germany has been Ukraine’s biggest military aid supplier after the United States, but Scholz has rejected sending the German long-range Taurus missile system over fears it could escalate NATO’s tense standoff with nuclear-armed Russia.
During his tour, Zelensky also met with Pope Francis at the Vatican and denied media reports that he was discussing the terms of a ceasefire with Russia, arguing Moscow must first withdraw all troops from Ukrainian territory before any peace plan can be considered.