President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine met Germany’s leaders in Berlin on Sunday morning, a day after Germany announced its largest package of military aid yet for Kyiv and as the two nations seek to turn the page on months of rocky relations.

Zelensky was making his first visit to Germany since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began more than a year ago. He met first with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Berlin’s Bellevue Palace and was then received with military honours by Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the chancellery.

The grand reception for Zelensky came despite the fact that Scholz, whose country is one of Ukraine’s largest financial and military backers, was among the last of European leaders to receive a visit from the wartime President. Zelensky and Scholz are hoping to improve ties after a year marred by sniping and wrangling over Berlin’s slower pace in delivering weapons to Ukraine. “At the most difficult time in Ukraine’s modern history, Germany has proved to be our true friend and reliable ally, standing resolutely by the Ukrainian people in the fight to defend freedom and democratic values,” Zelensky wrote in the Bellevue Palace guest book. “Together we will win and bring peace back to Europe.”

Some European officials have expressed concern that US support for Ukraine could wane if a Republican is elected President next year. Ukrainian and German officials have privately said that Zelensky may be hoping to persuade Scholz to play a more influential role in leading European support for the war and for negotiations on a potential settlement of the conflict. That is something the Chancellor has been reluctant to do. Later on Sunday, Zelensky is expected to travel to the western German city of Aachen to receive the prestigious Charlemagne award on behalf of himself and the Ukrainian people.

New York Times News Service