Zelensky in Germany: We Can Make Russia's Defeat 'Irreversible'

Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, said on Sunday in Berlin, the capital of Germany, that Kyiv and its Western supporters can make Russia's defeat in the war 'irreversible' before the end of this year. Speaking at a joint press conference with Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of Germany, Zelensky added that Ukraine is ready to discuss peace initiatives proposed by other governments, but these proposals must be based on Ukraine's position and its solution for achieving peace. According to the Ukrainian President, 'The war is taking place on our territory, and therefore any peace plan must be based on Ukraine's proposals.' The German Chancellor also emphasized his country's commitment to continue supporting Ukraine for as long as necessary. Olaf Scholz stated that Ukraine is ready for peace, but this does not mean stopping the war and accepting a kind of peace dictated by Russia. The outcome of Zelensky's successful trip to Berlin is the provision of the largest military aid from Germany to Ukraine since the beginning of Putin's invasion, valued at three billion dollars. This is Zelensky's first trip to Germany since the start of the Russian invasion in February of last year. The Ukrainian President arrived in Germany on a German government plane, escorted by fighter jets from the country's air force. Germany's assistance to Ukraine at the beginning of Putin's invasion was not expected at the level it is now, primarily due to Berlin's dependence on Russian energy resources and the pacifist policies of Germans following their bloody 20th-century history. However, shortly after the war began, Scholz emphasized the need for a major change in German foreign policy during a significant speech announcing the 'Zeitenwende' (turning point) policy and began extensive support for Ukraine.