Ambassador Melnyk tells of his expectations from Scholz's visit to Ukraine

Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Andriy Melnyk has said he expects German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to fulfill his promises of providing weapons to Ukraine and giving Kyiv the prospect of EU membership as part of his upcoming visit to Kyiv.

He told this to the German news outlet Spiegel, Ukrinform reports.

"We hope that during his visit to Kyiv, the chancellor will finally keep German promises on arms supplies and Ukraine's accession to the EU," Melnyk said.

According to the ambassador, Ukraine is still waiting for the supply of heavy weapons from Germany, including Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzers and Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns. Announcements and promises alone, he said, do not help Ukraine repel Russian attacks in this war. Melnyk said he hoped that the chancellor would say when the promised weapons arrive in Ukraine, because the promises were made several months ago.

Melnyk also hopes for progress in the prospect of Ukraine's membership in the EU.

"If the German Chancellor, along with the prime ministers from Paris and Rome, sends a signal that Ukraine can become a candidate country, it will be more than just a powerful symbol," Melnyk said, adding that it would boost Ukrainians' fighting spirit and clearly show Russia that the EU unanimously supports a free Ukraine.

He also noted that Scholz always said that he wanted to visit Kyiv not just for a photo shoot, but for concrete results.