 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Photo: VNA) |
Since the beginning of May, Zelensky has visited Finland, the Netherlands, Italy, France, Germany, and the UK as Ukraine prepares to counter-attack Russia in the second year of their conflict.
Military and financial commitments
While in Italy last Saturday, President Zelensky met with Pope Francis to discuss humanitarian activities. He called on Pope Francis to join Kiev's 10-point plan to end the conflict with Russia. Before that, Zelensky met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who pledged to maintain military and financial support for Ukraine. Earlier this year, Italy agreed to deliver to Kiev anti-aircraft missile systems that it co-developed with France.
In Germany Zelensky met with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank Walter Steinmeier. In a joint statement, Germany pledged to provide a new military assistance package worth 3 billion USD, bringing total assistance to 17 billion USD since the conflict began.
Zelensky said Berlin's pledge is the strongest support for Kiev so far. Germany is the second biggest supplier of weapons to Kiev after the US. It has provided Kiev with tanks, missiles, anti-missile systems, and financial assistance for emergency relief and reconstruction of civilian infrastructure. Germany has received more than 1 million refugees from Ukraine.
On Sunday Zelensky arrived in Paris. After a three-hour dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron, France pledged to send dozens more tanks and armored vehicles to Ukraine and provide the necessary training for the country’s soldiers to use them effectively.
On Monday Zelensky met with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at his house on the outskirts of London. Sunak said the UK will send Kiev hundreds of anti-aircraft missiles and hundreds of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles. Britain said it will work with other allies to ensure a supply of F-16 fighter jets. The issue will be discussed at the upcoming meetings of the European Council and the G7.
Russian Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that the UK’s military support for Kiev will not affect Moscow nor change the conflict’s status.
Ukraine seeks support for its EU membership
During his European tour, Zelensky obtained pledges of support from key EU countries for its accession to the EU. The German Chancellor pledged to fully support Ukraine, and said Ukraine is part of the European family.
The Italian Prime Minister reaffirmed her support for Ukraine's EU membership, saying Ukraine is undertaking necessary reforms despite the conflict. Meloni said Italy will support Ukraine "in every moment of need and beyond".
Ukrainian President Zelensky's European tour has been a success, gaining Kiev military and financial aid and support for its accession to the European Union.