Under-Pressure Zelensky in Germany to Rally Ukraine's Allies

Zelensky and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are set to hold "one-on-one" talks in Frankfurt, according to a spokesperson for the German government, although no further details about the Ukrainian president's agenda were provided.

However, German news outlet Der Spiegel reported that Zelensky will also attend the meeting of Ukraine's supporters, which includes the United States, at the U.S. Ramstein Air Base.

The meeting at the base southwest of Frankfurt is hosted by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Zelensky's presence aims to emphasize "the seriousness of the situation" on the ground in Ukraine, Spiegel noted, days after a Russian missile strike in the city of Poltava killed 55 people and wounded 300.

Austin is scheduled to speak at the opening of the meeting at around 10:00 am (0800 GMT) and will host a press conference at approximately 4:15 pm.

The talks, with representatives from about 50 nations, will focus on strengthening Ukraine's air defenses and encouraging allies to enhance their defense industries, said Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder.

"Ukraine matters to U.S. and international security, and the efforts of (Kiev's allies meeting in Ramstein) continue to play a vital role in Ukraine's fight for freedom and sovereignty," he stated.

The meeting comes as Moscow's forces gain ground in the Donbas, with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday stating that capturing the eastern region was his "primary objective" in the conflict.

Since the start of its offensive in February 2022, when it failed to capture the Ukrainian capital Kiev, Russia has adjusted its goals, focusing on conquering eastern Ukraine.

While Ukraine's surprise incursion into Russia's Kursk region last month caught Russian forces off-guard, Putin emphasized that the maneuver failed to impede Moscow's advance.

"The enemy weakened itself in key areas, our army has accelerated its offensive operations," Putin argued.

Uncertainty over Ukraine backing 

The United States has been Ukraine's largest supporter during the conflict, providing military aid worth 51.6 billion euros ($56 billion), according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.

However, uncertainty hangs over the future of that funding as a U.S. election in November could see Ukraine-skeptic Donald Trump return to the White House.

Germany, Ukraine's second-largest supporter, has also faced domestic pressure regarding its aid for Kiev, which has become central to a protracted debate over the 2025 budget.

Regional elections in the former East German states of Saxony and Thuringia on Sunday showed a surge of support for parties on the far right and far left opposed to the government's support for Ukraine.

France, another of Kiev's significant supporters, has been embroiled in a political crisis for several weeks.

Zelensky has repeatedly called for more long-range missiles to help repel Russian forces, but the United States and Germany have so far been reluctant to provide them.

The Ukrainian leader also wants allies to lift restrictions on the use of their weapons to target positions deep within Russian territory.

Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov has been preparing for Zelensky by holding talks in the United States, Britain, France, and Germany over the past few days.

Zelensky will also be aiming to present a unified front following the resignation of Ukraine's top diplomat, Dmytro Kuleba, in the most significant government reshuffle since the invasion.

Ahead of the meeting, Britain announced it would send Kiev 650 lightweight missiles by the end of the year to enhance Ukraine's air defense capabilities.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's allies in Europe have moved to bolster their defenses in response to the heightened threat from Russia.

Germany's military put the first Iris-T air-defense system into service on its own soil Wednesday, having delivered several to Ukraine to intercept Russian rockets, drones, and missiles.

Source: HDN