German trip for Zelenskyy not extended or curtailed, Ukrainian Embassy confirms.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Participation in Charlemagne Prize Awards Ceremony Remains Unaffected, says Embassy
The Ukrainian Embassy in Germany has denied reports circulating in the German media that President Zelenskyy will not attend the Charlemagne Prize awards ceremony in Aachen due to the threat of a new Russian offensive. In a statement, the embassy asserted, "Reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has cancelled his participation at tomorrow's Charlemagne Prize awards ceremony in Aachen due to the threat of a Russian offensive are not true."
Previously, Spiegel had reported that President Zelenskyy might be unable to attend the event in Aachen on 29 May due to escalating tension on the front lines and the possible threat of a large-scale Russian offensive in Sumy Oblast. However, it appears these rumors have been debunked.
During his visit to Berlin on 28 May, President Zelenskyy held meetings with Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and Bundestag President Julia Klöckner. During the visit, Germany pledged new military aid to Ukraine worth €5 billion. A contract was signed with Diehl Defence for the production of IRIS-T systems and missiles, with a total value of €2.2 billion.
The Charlemagne Prize, established in 1950, recognizes those who have served the ideal of uniting Europe in the spirit of Charlemagne. This year, the prize is being awarded to Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission. As of now, there is no official confirmation regarding President Zelenskyy's attendance at the ceremony.
The Ukrainian President's participation in the Charlemagne Prize awards ceremony still remains a possibility, as there has been no official confirmation of his absence. The ongoing politics and general-news concerning the Ukrainian-Russian tension have not affected President Zelenskyy's potential attendance at the event in Aachen on 29 May.
