Key emphases on air defense, energy industry - Zelensky at joint presser with Scholz

This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, who spoke at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz after their meeting on the sidelines of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin, Ukrinform reports.

“Today, Ukrainian and German officials, our communities, our businesses are represented here, and now we have concrete agreements at each level that will be implemented to better protect the lives of Ukraine and Ukrainians,” Zelensky said.

During the meeting, Volodymyr Zelensky and Olaf Scholz discussed in detail the frontline developments and the steps needed to ensure sufficient generation of energy. The president thanked the German chancellor for leadership in protecting the Ukrainian skies with Patriot systems.

“Our key emphases today are, of course, the air defense and the energy industry. Once Russia's ability to terrorize its neighbors is limited, Russia will finally be forced to seek a path to real peace. It’s because this is Putin's key advantage — missile strikes, guided aerial bombs, attack drones. Together, we must ensure the blackout of Russian terror in order to bring out of the blackout the possibility of real peace. And we can do it together with Germany,” the president noted.

The head of state also expressed his gratitude to Germany for supporting Ukraine's path to European integration and the inaugural Peace Summit, as well as for helping our country prepare for the G7 Summit.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, Olaf Scholz believes Russia must realize the need to withdraw its troops from the territory of Ukraine for conditions to be created for inviting Moscow to peace talks.

Scholz also noted that Ukraine is fighting the aggressor and at the same time building its European future. Reconstruction will be a huge task that will require huge funds, and the effort will not work without private money, he believes.

"Our goal is clear: Ukraine must preserve its independence and territorial integrity," Scholz said.

The two leaders spoke on the sidelines of the Ukraine Recovery Conference that is being held in the German capital, Berlin, on June 11-12.