Zelenskyy and Scholz discuss ongoing defense collaboration and frontline situation

"Had a conversation with Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz. We discussed further defense cooperation," Zelenskyy writes.

The President thanked Germany for a powerful winter defense package, including four IRIS-T systems, and for a multi-year financial assistance program.

"These are the best signals of Germany's unwavering support. I really appreciate the fact that all our agreements are being fulfilled," the head of state says.

In addition, the leaders discussed the situation on the battlefield. Zelenskyy told Scholz about his visits to Kupiansk, as well as Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Odesa.

"He also talked about the situation in the Black Sea, the functioning of the "grain corridor" and the efforts needed to further protect civil shipping," the President adds.

Zelenskyy also thanked Germany for its participation in the implementation of the peace formula, in particular for the adviser's participation in the meeting in Malta and his willingness to participate in the next meeting.

"He stressed the importance of ensuring unity within the European Union regarding the approval of negotiations on the accession of Ukraine and the allocation of 50 billion euros of aid for the following years," the head of state says.

Germany wants to double aid to Ukraine

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that the country intends to double military aid to Ukraine in 2024. Instead of the previously allocated 4 billion euros in the federal budget, it is planned to spend 8 billion euros on this.

Later, journalists got acquainted with the draft of the federal budget of Germany for 2024, which contains a doubling of military aid to Ukraine to 8 billion euros.

Then Reuters wrote that in Germany the ruling coalition is trying to patch a huge hole in the budget, due to which defense aid to Ukraine for the next year, totaling 8 billion euros, has been suspended.