During a surprise visit to Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addressed two of Kyiv's key demands: supplying German and Swedish-made Taurus long-range missiles and accelerating its NATO membership.
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00:00During a surprise visit to Kiev on Monday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended his
00:06country's refusal to send Ukraine Taurus long-range missiles, but stressed that his support for
00:12the country remains strong.
00:15With regard to individual weapons systems, we have a certain assessment of whether it's
00:20right to provide them or not.
00:22This has to do with the range and the necessity to control the target.
00:28And that's why we said no.
00:30But that doesn't reduce our support, which is very comprehensive.
00:34And it's important to me to say that it will also remain comprehensive.
00:39Scholz's visit is the first time in more than two years, and comes just weeks after Ukrainian
00:44President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized him for having a phone call with Russian President
00:49Vladimir Putin.
00:51Zelensky said that German air defense systems have saved tens of thousands of people in
00:55Ukraine, but also said support should increase.
00:59During the visit, Zelensky took Scholz to a military hospital where they spoke with
01:03wounded soldiers.
01:05He also showed Scholz through an exhibition of drone equipment, showcasing domestically
01:09produced drones as well as those created in cooperation with German companies.