Zelensky spoke with German President Steinmeier. What was discussed?

President Volodymyr Zelensky had a telephone conversation with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on June 30.

"Continuing dialogue with Germany held talks with Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Discussed increasing defense support for Ukraine. We appreciate the German people's solidarity on our path to the EU and support in countering aggression.  Thanked for condolences over the inhuman attack on Kremenchuk," said President Zelensky.

German newspaper Die Welt says that Steinmeier's possible visit to Kyiv was also discussed during the conversation.

At the same time, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmygal received a delegation of members of the BundestagCDU/CSU-Fraktion.

A delegation of the German Bundestag arrived on a visit to Ukraine. Photo: Denys Shmygal / Telegram

According to Shmygal, the supply of weapons to Ukraine, the food crisis caused by the blockade of Ukrainian ports, and the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine were discussed.

"Our country needs more modern weapons to drive the enemy off Ukrainian soil. I thanked the deputies for their assistance in supplying heavy weapons. We hope that this visit will further strengthen support for this question in the Bundestag," Shmygal said.

Steinmeier's visit to Kyiv

German President had already considered the visit to Ukraine before, but it did not take place due to a misunderstanding that arose later due to media reports.

On April 12, the German newspaper Bild reported that Steinmeier wanted to come to Kyiv with government delegations from other EU countries, but Zelensky allegedly did not want to meet with him because of the German President's close ties with Russia.

Steinmeier stated that he wanted to visit Kyiv to "send a strong signal of European solidarity with Ukraine." "I was ready, but apparently (and I need to take note), this was not desired in Kyiv," said Mr. Steinmeier.

Zelensky later said at a briefing with the presidents of Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia that the Office of the President of Ukraine had not received a request from the German Presidential Office regarding Steinmeier's visit to Ukraine.

He added that Ukraine is a free country and is ready to be a transit state for Germany "if it is a matter of economy, not politics." According to Zelensky, given the war and the daily deaths, Ukraine has the right to allow itself to "accept and be among those leaders of countries that really support it."

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Ukraine respects Germany and the institution of its Federal President and that the "difficult situation" with Frank-Walter Steinmeier arose through the German media.

Finally, on May 5, Zelensky had a telephone conversation with Steinmeier, as a result of which the press service of the German President noted that "misunderstandings from the past have disappeared."