Ukrainian President Zelensky visits Germany to talk defense against Russia
May 28 (UPI) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to Germany Wednesday to discuss the state of German military support, which could include a delivery of powerful missiles to Ukraine for use against Russian targets.
Zelensky and the Ukrainian delegation were welcomed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz shortly after their arrival in Berlin, and Zelensky is also expected to meet with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
The visit takes place as speculation continues in regard to whether Germany will supply Ukraine with its Taurus cruise missiles, which can strike targets as far away as 300 miles. Merz had signaled before his ascension to chancellor that he would overturn a previous ban by his predecessor Olaf Scholz on the provision of such weaponry to Ukraine.
Zelensky spoke with reporters Tuesday, and said he would discuss the issue of long-range missiles.
The decision to provide the Taurus missiles remains officially unresolved as it has been a matter of contention between the conservative alliance of the Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union parties, and the Social Democratic Party, their coalition partners.
However, Merz announced Monday that Germany would "do everything in our power to continue supporting Ukraine," and that "also means no longer having any range restrictions on the weapons we supply. Ukraine can now also defend itself by attacking military positions in Russia."
Merz later explained the comment was in reference to actions taken months ago, and German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil has since confirmed that no new decision in regard to the Taurus missile issue.
Germany has previously provided Ukraine with two weapons systems capable of strikes within Russian borders, the Mars II rocket launchers and Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled artillery, and range restrictions on their usage were lifted in May 2024.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced Monday that European countries who lift restrictions on the range of provided armaments for use against Russia on Russian territory would be making a "rather dangerous decision."
Zelensky posted to social media Tuesday that in an "extended meeting" with Ukrainian military leadership, they had discussed "preparing new agreements with our European partners in the near future, to attract investment into Ukrainian production," which "First and foremost," means "the production of unmanned systems and long-range capabilities," so that the military can "operate at significant distances."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
33 minutes ago
France's president will visit Greenland in a show of EU unity, Danish leader says
COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to Greenland next weekend, the Danish prime minister's office said Saturday — a visit by a high-profile European Union leader in the wake of U.S. expressions of interest in taking over the mineral-rich Arctic island. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the French leader said they will meet in the semiautonomous Danish territory on June 15, hosted by Greenland's new prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen. The visit by Macron, whose nuclear-armed country has one of the EU's strongest militaries, comes as U.S. President Donald Trump hasn't ruled out using force to carry out his desire for the resource-rich and strategically located island to become part of the United States. While the issue of U.S. interest in Greenland has drifted from the headlines in recent weeks, Nielsen said in late April that such comments by U.S. leaders have been disrespectful and that Greenland will never be 'a piece of property' that anyone can buy. In the statement Saturday, Frederiksen acknowledged the 'difficult foreign policy situation in recent months' but praised 'great international support' for Greenland and Denmark. 'President Macron's upcoming visit to Greenland is yet another concrete testament to European unity,' she said, alluding to the membership of France and Denmark in the 27-member-country EU. The three leaders were expected to discuss security in the North Atlantic and the Arctic, as well as issues of economic development, climate change and energy during the visit, her office said.
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Sunderland Reject Dortmund's Bid for Jobe Bellingham Amid Ongoing Talks
Sunderland Standing Firm as Dortmund Pursue Jobe Bellingham Quiet Confidence Behind Stubborn Negotiations AFC Sunderland's resolve is being tested, and so far, they're not blinking. According to Sky Sports Germany, Borussia Dortmund's pursuit of Jobe Bellingham is active but far from complete. The Bundesliga giants' latest offer, reportedly under €25 million, has been firmly rejected by the newly promoted Premier League side. The report also states that 'Sunderland is proving to be a tenacious negotiator.' Advertisement Negotiations are ongoing, with BVB representatives Sebastian Kehl and Lars Ricken engaged in discussions with Sunderland's Kristjaan Speakman and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus. The German side is expected to return with an improved offer. Despite the standoff, there is a sense of quiet optimism. 'All parties remain optimistic that the deal will close soon,' Sky reports. The idea of a €30 million package, including add-ons, may yet be the key to unlocking the deal. Photo IMAGO Why Dortmund Are Keen This isn't just about sentimentality. While the Bellingham surname carries immense weight in Dortmund, after Jude Bellingham's outstanding spell before joining Real Madrid, this move is centred on Jobe's potential, not his brother's legacy. Advertisement Now 18, the younger Bellingham has carved his own path. In his first full season at Sunderland, he has shown maturity beyond his years and a versatility that appeals to clubs with high ambitions. He can operate as a central midfielder, No.10, or even in wider areas. Dortmund, famed for developing young talent, see him as another long-term project. Reports from Sky Sports confirm that 'Bellingham has agreed a five-year contract with Dortmund.' Timelines and Club World Cup Planning The deal's timing is crucial. Bellingham has been selected for England's U21 European Championship squad and is due to travel to Slovakia. However, 'If there is a breakthrough in the negotiations – this has been agreed – Bellingham would travel to Dortmund and then also to the Club World Cup in the USA.' Advertisement It's a clear sign of intent from Dortmund, not just for the future but also for the present. They want Bellingham involved immediately, potentially using the Club World Cup as a platform for integration. Photo: IMAGO Sunderland's Position of Strength Sunderland's stance is more than just financial prudence, it's reflective of a club with a long-term vision. Having returned to the Premier League, they are no longer content to be a stepping stone. Jobe Bellingham may ultimately leave, but it will be on Sunderland's terms, at the right price, and with the right future guarantees. This negotiation is not only about one player, it is about perception, leverage, and ambition. Our View – EPL Index Analysis For Sunderland, this negotiation feels like a moment of arrival. For too long, the club has seen talent depart on cut-price deals. Now, they're holding firm. While losing a player of Bellingham's promise would sting, the insistence on a deal that reflects his market value signals real intent. There's belief that this club can both develop stars and drive a hard bargain. Advertisement On the other hand, for Borussia Dortmund, the deal makes perfect sense. It mirrors their usual model, spotting emerging talent, offering a step up, and integrating with patience and purpose. Having Jude's legacy in their locker only adds sentimental weight. But this isn't just a name play, Jobe fits Dortmund's blueprint: young, tactically adaptable, and with significant resale potential. If €30 million is indeed the magic number, it represents a calculated gamble for Dortmund and a statement of growth from Sunderland. One way or another, this is a deal that speaks volumes about both clubs.
Newsweek
36 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Graph Shows Putin's Missile Response to Russia's 'Pearl Harbor'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Russia conducted its second-largest missile and drone attack on Ukraine since the start of its invasion in 2022, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) whose graph illustrate the response to Kyiv's drone barrage on Russian military airfields. The Washington, DC think tank's figures showed how Russia's drone assault overnight Thursday on Ukraine had only been surpassed on May 31. There had been anticipation over how Moscow would respond to Kyiv's Operation Spiderweb, which was dubbed by pro-Kremlin bloggers as "Russia's Pearl Harbor." The figures did not include Friday's overnight strikes on Kharkiv. Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's deputy prime minister for innovation, education, science and technology, told Newsweek about plans to scale up an AI-controlled air defense turret to down Russian projectiles. Newsweek has contacted the Russian Defense Ministry for comment. File photo: A firefighter stands by a fire and points to a hole following a drone strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on June 5, 2025. File photo: A firefighter stands by a fire and points to a hole following a drone strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on June 5, It Matters Kyiv braced for a Russian response to Operation Spiderweb, and Russia responded by firing missiles and drones over all of Ukraine Thursday. The ISW figures could signal further Russian drone barrages, which, if they drag out peace negotiations, could see the U.S. impose a new set of tough sanctions. What To Know Ukraine's Air Force reported on Friday that, the previous night, Russian forces launched 452 projectiles, including 407 Shahed and mock drones, across the country; Kyiv said these injured at least 49 people and killed three. Russia also launched six Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles and 36 Kh-101 cruise missiles, as well as two Iskander-M cruise missiles and one Kh-31P anti-radar missile. While air defenses thwarted most missiles and drones, Russian strikes hit 19 locations across Ukraine, including high-rise buildings, and energy infrastructure in the cities of Kyiv, Lviv, Ternopil, Chernihiv, and Kremenchuk. The ISW graph showed nearly a fivefold increase in the size of Russia's drone and missile attack on Thursday compared with the previous day. It also highlighted how the only bigger barrage was on May 31 when 479 projectiles were launched. Ukraine is continuing to innovate and expand its air-defense umbrella to counter the growing threat posed by Russian missiles and drones. Ukraine's Sky Sentinel AI-Powered Air Defense Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's deputy prime minister for innovation and military personnel, told Newsweek that Russian Shahed drones have significantly evolved; they are equipped with more-powerful engines and complex communication systems, flying at higher speeds and lower altitudes. This makes them harder to jam and intercept with older air-defense methods, which is why Ukraine is try to innovate to neutralize these upgraded threats. This graph from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) shows the spike in missiles and drones Russia launched after Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb attack on Russian airfields. This graph from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) shows the spike in missiles and drones Russia launched after Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb attack on Russian airfields. Institute for the Study of War Fedorov said Ukrainian engineers have developed an AI-controlled air defense turret called Sky Sentinel; this can down Shahed-136 drones, smaller UAVs, and even cruise missiles. Once synced with radar and deployed, the AI locks onto targets, calculates their speed and trajectory, and fires. Its precision and automation features means it needs only half as many units to defend cities as compared with the number of mobile groups currently involved, Fedorov added. UNITED24, a Ukrainian government-run platform that funded the prototypes of the Magura naval drones that dealt a blow to Russia's Black Sea Fleet, is launching a $1.5 million fundraiser to produce the first 10 turrets. These can protect large areas at lower cost freeing up high-precision missiles for more critical targets. What People Are Saying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X: "Over 400 drones and more than 40 missiles—including ballistic missiles—were used in today's attack." He added: "Russia must be held accountable for this." U.S. President Donald Trump said that Operation Spiderweb gave Putin "a reason to go in and bomb the hell out of them." Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's deputy prime minister, told Newsweek: "Russian Shahed drones have significantly evolved. They're now equipped with more powerful engines and complex communication systems, flying at higher speeds and lower altitudes. "That's why we're constantly looking for innovative solutions that can effectively neutralize these upgraded threats before they reach cities or critical infrastructure." What Happens Next Thursday's strikes by Russia were followed up with a bombardment of Kharkiv. However, pro-Russian military bloggers say that, so far, Moscow's response was not proportional to the damage caused by Operation Spiderweb, which they compared with Japan's Pearl Harbor attacks of 1941. However, Russia's next move in continuing drone strikes could be tempered by bipartisan U.S. legislation that seeks to impose tough sanctions if Moscow drags out peace negotiations.
