Zelensky at meeting with Merz: Ukraine expects strengthening of its long-range capabilities

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated this at a briefing following a meeting with German chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz in Kyiv on Monday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

Zelensky noted that Germany ranks second, after the United States, in terms of the assistance provided to Ukraine, which currently totals approximately $37 billion.

"And we are very grateful for this. [...] This has helped us a lot throughout the war. And it is very true that this assistance will not stop and that Germany will continue to support Ukraine. Thank you for this position," he said.

Zelensky noted that the past week was marked by intensive negotiations with the German side. Specifically, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Kyiv, and in France, the Ukrainian president had a "long, productive conversation" with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier

He thanked the German government and people for their support and expressed hope that Ukraine's long-range capabilities would be strengthened.

"We are counting on stronger and decisive actions from Germany, from you personally. We are counting on it very much. […] We truly want to hear your position on geopolitics and NATO. We are counting on the strengthening of Ukraine's long-range capabilities," Zelensky said.

He also thanked Germany for the assistance provided to Ukrainians staying in the country. According to him, Ukraine is doing everything possible to bring its citizens back home.

"We have had many discussions with the German government about Ukrainians living abroad. We truly need them, as they are citizens of our state. Thank you to the government and parliamentarians of Germany, as well as the ordinary people who have welcomed Ukrainians since the very beginning of the war, offering support, homes, money, and work opportunities -- today, we are talking about millions of people," Zelensky said.

He added that Ukraine has established a Ministry of National Unity, which, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will focus on supporting Ukrainians abroad. Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is counting on meetings in Germany to establish relevant departments to assist Ukrainians.