Ukrainian Embassy denies that Zelenskyy's visit to Germany was shortened

The Ukrainian Embassy in Germany has called reports in the German media that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has cancelled his participation in the Charlemagne Prize award ceremony in Aachen due to the threat of a new Russian offensive "not true".

"Reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has cancelled his participation in tomorrow's Charlemagne Prize award ceremony in Aachen due to the threat of a Russian offensive are not true," the embassy stated.

Earlier, Spiegel reported that President Zelenskyy supposedly would not be able to attend the event in Aachen on 29 May due to the escalation of the situation on the front lines and the threat of a large-scale Russian offensive in Sumy Oblast.

On 28 May, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held meetings in Berlin with Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Bundestag President Julia Klöckner.

During the visit, Germany promised new military aid to Ukraine worth €5 billion.

Among other things, a contract was signed with Diehl Defence for the production of IRIS-T systems and missiles for them. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umierov said that the total value of the contract is €2.2 billion.