The President of Ukraine invited the German chancellor to visit on May 9

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz – Photo: REUTERS

“He has been invited to Kiev. It will be a political step of strong significance if he actually arrives on May 9,” Zelensky said in an online address to the Institute of National Studies. Chatham House on May 6.

According to what the leader Ukraine Speaking in his native language and translated into English, the invitation was sent through Zelensky’s phone call with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on May 5. An AFP news agency source confirmed the two leaders did indeed talk on the phone that day.

The call is said to be aimed at dissolving suspicions and tensions between the two sides, after Kiev rejected Mr. Steinmeier’s visit because he thought the German leader had a soft stance on Russia.

In some countries of the Soviet Union (former), May 9 is one of the most important holidays, marking the victory of the Soviet Red Army over the fascists in 1945.

It is not clear whether Prime Minister Scholz will visit Ukraine on this date. According to the plan, Mr. Scholz also had to host French President Emmanuel Macron in Berlin on the morning of May 9.

Earlier, in a press conference on May 5, Mr Scholz said after discussions with the President Steinmeier, Berlin will send Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived in Kiev first. German Parliament Speaker Barbel Bas will also travel to Kiev and attend a memorial service for the victims of World War II.

According to AFP news agency, Prime Minister Scholz still feeling uneasy after Kiev refused his visit Steinmeier, even once publicly said that this incident “barred” him from going to Ukraine.

Mr. Scholz’s government faced a lot of pressure at home and abroad, criticized for its slowness in arming Ukraine.

In a speech at Chatham House on May 6, President Zelensky called on Germany and Europe to be more aggressive with Russia, ending dependence on Russian energy.

The Ukrainian leader also warned that if Germany let Ukraine fall, Russian troops might come to Berlin as the Soviet Red Army did during World War II.