German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Monday, reaffirming Germany’s position as Ukraine’s most significant supporter in Europe and announcing €650 million ($683 million) in military aid set for delivery this month.
The trip marks Scholz’s second visit to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion nearly three years ago. It underscores Germany’s commitment to Ukraine at a time when geopolitical uncertainties loom, including concerns about Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House and the steady territorial gains by Russian forces.
During his visit, Scholz is expected to engage in discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who plans to advocate for NATO to offer Ukraine membership at an upcoming meeting in Brussels. The visit may also provide Scholz an opportunity to bolster his foreign policy image as he faces a snap election in February following the collapse of his coalition government in November.
Scrutiny Over Scholz’s Ukraine Policy
Scholz’s approach to Ukraine has been a point of contention within Germany. Critics on one side argue he should intensify support for Kyiv, while others advocate for Germany to curtail its military and financial assistance.
Although Scholz has positioned Germany as Ukraine’s second-largest arms supplier after the United States, he has faced backlash for refusing to provide Taurus cruise missiles, citing concerns that such a move could escalate tensions and risk dragging Germany into direct conflict with Russia.
His decision to hold a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin in November—the first such communication in nearly two years—also drew criticism. Some viewed it as a political maneuver aimed at domestic audiences, a sentiment echoed by Ukrainian allies, including Zelenskiy.
“Germany will remain Ukraine’s strongest supporter in Europe,” Scholz posted on X (formerly Twitter) ahead of the visit. He confirmed plans to provide additional military equipment worth €650 million, which will be delivered in December.
Election Politics and Ukraine
Support for Ukraine has emerged as a critical issue in Germany’s upcoming federal election. Friedrich Merz, leader of the conservative opposition and a leading contender to replace Scholz, has advocated for Germany to supply Taurus missiles to Ukraine. Over the weekend, Merz accused Scholz of employing scare tactics to justify withholding the weaponry.
While Scholz’s Kyiv itinerary remains unpublished, visiting leaders typically hold joint press conferences with President Zelenskiy during such trips.
Broader European Support
Scholz’s visit follows a show of solidarity from European Union leaders. Antonio Costa, the new president of the European Council, and Kaja Kallas, the EU’s newly appointed foreign policy chief, visited Kyiv on Sunday, their first day in office, to reaffirm European support for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Russian forces continue their advance in eastern Ukraine, seizing villages as part of a campaign to capture the industrial Donbas region. Simultaneously, Moscow’s airstrikes persist, targeting Ukraine’s already fragile energy infrastructure as winter approaches.
Escalation in the Conflict
The conflict intensified in November when the outgoing Biden administration approved Ukraine’s use of Western weaponry to strike deeper into Russian territory. In response, Moscow launched attacks using a newly developed intermediate-range ballistic missile and threatened strikes on Kyiv’s government facilities.
Ukraine continues to demand the withdrawal of all Russian forces from its territory and seeks robust Western security guarantees akin to NATO membership to prevent future aggression. Moscow, however, insists on recognition of its annexation of Ukrainian land and Ukraine’s permanent neutrality.
Last week, Zelenskiy proposed the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO even while parts of its territory remain under Russian occupation. He described such an arrangement as a pathway to ending the “hot stage” of the war. On Sunday, Zelenskiy clarified that NATO membership must eventually encompass all Ukrainian territory, even if the alliance’s collective defense provisions initially exclude areas occupied by Russian forces.
Scholz’s visit, coupled with Germany’s continued military aid, reflects the high stakes and ongoing complexities of the conflict, with Kyiv and its allies determined to counter Russian advances while navigating evolving geopolitical dynamics.
