Chillin' with the Big Leagues: Scholz's Final Chat with Zelenskyy
German Chancellor Scholz holds a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy as his tenure nears its conclusion. - Scholz engages in a conversation with Zelenskyy mere moments before his presidency concludes.
Here's the lowdown: Olaf Scholz, about to hand over the Chancellor gig, chatted it up with Zelenskyy, stressing the importance of a 30-day unconditional ceasefire. Hebestreit, Germany's spokesperson, spilled the tea, stating that Scholz believes Ukraine's eagerness for peace is unmatched. Putin, according to Scholz, needs to wise up, stop his deceitful stalling, and put an end to his relentless attack.
Scholz appreciated Zelenskyy's close, trustworthy partnership and commended his leadership skills. He also applauded Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian nation's guts and resolve in the face of Russian hostility. Hebestreit mentioned that Scholz witnessed firsthand the fierce spirit of Ukraine during his two trips to Kyiv in 2022 and 2024.
Scholz guaranteed Germany's ongoing support, hand in glove with European and international partners, as long as the going gets tough. Hebestreit underlined that the Russian war against Ukraine and its aftermath have played a substantial role in shaping Scholz's tenure.
On Monday evening, Scholz will receive a military salute at the Ministry of Defense in Berlin. On Tuesday, the Bundestag will install Friedrich Merz (CDU) as the new Chancellor.
Now for some background: Germany's backing for Ukraine during the Russian conflict remains solid, with hefty military and financial aid. Scholz has been a key player in this fight, although his recent remarks are not detailed in our records. Here's a rundown of Germany's current support:
The Dealio:
- Military Whammy: Germany's pledged significant military aid, including air defense systems, missiles, armored vehicles, and battle tanks. Germany's Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, continues to promise more air defense systems and other military hardware[1][2].
- Financial Pledge: The combined military support from Germany totals approximately 28 billion euros since the invasion in 2022. In 2024 alone, funds for security capacity building in Ukraine amounted to about 7.1 billion euros. Moreover, Germany is part of a larger international coalition, contributing over half of a new 21 billion euro military aid package[1][2].
- Training and Help: More than 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers have gone through military training in Germany, costing approximately 282 million euros. Germany also supports Ukraine through the European Peace Facility (EPF) and collaborations with other EU countries[1].
- Future Promises: Germany's incoming government under Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz has vowed to continue supporting Ukraine, ensuring consistency in this policy[3][4].
Scholz has been careful to avoid further escalation, notably blocking the delivery of Taurus missiles in the past. Nevertheless, Germany's overall approach remains steadfast in backing Ukraine against Russian aggression[3].
Olaf Scholz, in his final conversation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy before the end of his term of office, called for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine. Scholz thanked Zelenskyy for their close, trustworthy partnership and commended his leadership skills. During his visits to Kyiv in 2022 and 2024, Scholz witnessed firsthand the fierce spirit of Ukraine during its ongoing war-and-conflicts with Russia. The SPD leader, Steffen Hebe, underlined that the Russian war against Ukraine and its aftermath have played a substantial role in shaping Scholz's tenure.
