German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visits Kyiv on Monday, February 14, before going to Moscow the day after.
Scholz warned Putin he’ll face immediate and tough sanctions if Russia invades Ukraine.Â
Military aggression against Ukraine that endangers its territorial integrity and sovereignty will result in hard reactions and sanctions that we have carefully prepared and that we can put into effect immediately, together with our allies in Europe and NATO.
Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany
Scholz said Sunday as he spoke to journalists after re-election of the German president.
In Kyiv, Scholz could unveil an economic relief package to particularly help stabilize Ukraine’s currency, German government sources said. Germany will make no commitments on supplying defensive weapons or military equipment to Ukraine. It continues to review some of the items on the list that Ukraine requested.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that the main topics of his talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Kyiv were security challenges and the peace process, as the future of European security architecture is being decided today in Ukraine. He said this in a statement to the media following talks with Olaf Scholz.
We talked about key approaches to this very important process. About the need to include specific legal guarantees that can protect the state of Ukraine in this architecture. We share the common vision that the escalation on the Ukrainian-Russian border is an unprecedented challenge for Europe and the world.
Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine
According to the President, Olaf Scholz expressed Germany's full support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within internationally recognised borders, stressed its readiness to support our country and work together within the Crimea Platform to end the temporary occupation of Crimea.
During the meeting, the parties also discussed recent steps in the framework of a peaceful settlement in Donbas. It was emphasized that in a short time two rounds of talks were held between the political advisers of the Normandy Four in Paris and Berlin.
"I would like to note in this context the role of the new Federal Government of Germany and of the Chancellor personally. It is important that Mr. Scholz and I share a common vision of a peaceful approach. We expect that in the near future we will be able to hold further talks and agree on a summit of the leaders of the Normandy Four,†said Volodymyr Zelensky.
The President of Ukraine also expects that during his visit to Russia on February 15, the Federal Chancellor will present not only the position of Germany, but also the united position of the entire transatlantic community, the priority of which is Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"It is really important for us that before going to Russia, the German Chancellor held talks in Kyiv. We appreciate this manifestation of solidarity," the Ukrainian President added.
Volodymyr Zelensky noted that during the talks with Olaf Scholz he reiterated his clear position that the most effective approach to deterring aggression is the application of preventive sanctions. It is also extremely important for Ukraine that its partners stand firm on the position of an open door policy as regards NATO and European Union.
"We look forward to the support for Ukraine's full membership in the European Union. Such a step would be a powerful signal of support for the geopolitical choice of the Ukrainian people recognised by our legislation and many countries around the world," Volodymyr Zelensky stressed.
For his part, Olaf Scholz said that he was visiting Ukraine at this important time with the message that Germany stands side by side with our country. According to him, Germany is trying to find a diplomatic solution to the current complicated situation.
It is clear to the German Federal Government that military aggression against Ukraine will have serious political, economic and geostrategic consequences for Russia. I will emphasize this in Moscow tomorrow.
Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany
The Federal Chancellor also thanked the Ukrainian leadership for its prudent response to the difficult and threatening situation and its responsible policy.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Olaf Scholz on his first visit to Ukraine and noted that Germany is a key partner in terms of supporting its European integration aspirations and an important economic partner for Ukraine.
