Continued Support from the G7 for Kyiv; German Chancellor: We Remain Committed to Ukraine

Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of Germany, who is in Italy for the annual G7 leaders' summit, stated that the group's plans for increased financial support for Ukraine demonstrate that wealthy industrial nations remain committed to this country more than two years after Russia's invasion. He noted the profits from seized Russian funds amounting to over $300 billion, calling the implementation of this plan a 'very difficult historical step.' According to Mr. Scholz, Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, expected international support for Ukraine to diminish over time, but the ongoing activities contradict this assumption. The German Chancellor reiterated Germany's commitment to Ukraine, stating, 'This is a very clear commitment and indicates that Ukrainians must have what they need to defend their independence and sovereignty.' He also regarded this commitment and Europe's loyalty to Ukraine as a clear message to the Russian President, saying that Putin cannot simply sit back and hope that financial problems in a country supporting Ukraine will one day allow him to win this war. The German government recently signed an agreement with Ukraine during the two-day visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Berlin. Mr. Zelensky's visit on June 12 and 13 included significant financial commitments and support from Germany for Ukraine, ranging from a €1.9 billion financial aid package and the provision of 1,000 power generators to the release of profits from frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's benefit. However, President Zelensky's visit faced opposition from some German politicians, particularly from leaders of the Alternative for Germany party, who described him as a 'beggar president.' Despite this opposition, Germany's commitments to support the development of Ukrainian institutions and efforts for Ukraine's accession to the European Union reflect the determination of Ukrainian politicians to unite international partners for greater support and improvement of their country's situation.