Zelensky appeals to allies to continue aid while Germany pledges a new arms package

BERLIN (AP) — President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday it is important that aid from allies to Ukraine does not decline next year, as he received a promise of a new arms package from Chancellor Olaf Scholz on a trip to Europe to provide support for to win him “Victory Plan” The goal was to end the war with Russia.

Zelenskyj arrived in Berlin on Thursday after stops in London, Paris and Rome as part of a later arranged tour a planned summit on Saturday with US President Joe Biden and other allied leaders was derailed by Hurricane Milton.

Noting that Germany is Ukraine's largest military supporter in Europe and second only to the United States, Scholz said: “It will stay that way.”

Scholz emphasized Berlin's continued focus on supporting Kiev with air defense. And he said it would deliver another package of military support worth about 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) by the end of the year, with support from Belgium, Denmark and Norway – including more air defense systems, self-propelled ones Cheetah anti-aircraft guns, tanks, armored vehicles, combat drones, artillery ammunition and radars.

“It is very important for us that the aid does not decrease next year,” said Zelenskyj and thanked Scholz for the planned aid. “It must be enough to protect people and lives.”

This year's German budget provides for almost 7.5 billion euros in military aid for Ukraine, and 4 billion euros are planned for next year. Berlin hopes for 50 billion dollars International loan package Funding through interest on profits from frozen Russian assets will play a growing role in funding aid starting next year, with Kiev procuring weapons directly. The aim is to have this system in place by the end of the year.

Scholz told Zelensky that one could “rely” on this package. He said Russian President Vladimir Putin must realize that “playing for time will not work; We will not let up in our support for Ukraine.”

The Ukrainian leader has not yet publicly outlined his proposals for a “victory.” But the timing of his efforts to win European support appears to be due to the upcoming US elections. Former President Donald Trump has long criticized US aid to Kiev.

Ukraine's overstretched and undermanned army is currently under severe pressure in the country's eastern Donetsk region. Russian forces recently drove it out of the city of Donetsk Vuhledar and now control about half of nearby Toretsk. To stop the losses, Zelensky must secure more help.

In Berlin he said that Ukraine “wants to end the war by 2025 at the latest.”

“This plan is a bridge to holding a productive peace summit that will actually put an end to the war,” he said, adding that Ukraine can only strengthen its position against Russia by working with Western partners.

Earlier on Friday, Zelensky had a 35-minute meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican. He also met Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.

“The discussions revolved around the state of the war and the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, as well as the ways to end it and lead to a just and stable peace in the country,” the Vatican said, adding “Also some related questions with the religious life of the country were examined.”

Since the first Russian attack on Kiev, there have been numerous contacts between Francis and Zelensky through visits, letters and telephone calls.

The pope sparked some criticism from Ukrainian leaders in March when he suggested they should do so Courage of the “white flag” Negotiations to end the war with Russia, which was interpreted by many as a call for surrender.

Francis has repeatedly called for an end to the war, focusing on prisoner exchanges and a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine conflict.

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Arhirova reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Giada Zampano contributed to this report from Vatican City.