BERLIN, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a long-term security agreement in Berlin on Friday.
"The importance of the document can hardly be underestimated," Scholz said during a joint press conference, adding that Germany will continue to support Ukraine "as long as it takes."
Ukraine had already signed such a security agreement with the United Kingdom in January, which is intended to bridge the gap until the Eastern European country joins NATO. France is to follow suit immediately after Zelensky's visit to Germany.
"Today is a very important day for our peoples, for the Ukrainians and the Germans, and also for Europe," Zelensky said.
Scholz also announced further military support amounting to 1.1 billion euros (1.2 billion U.S. dollars). The package includes 36 tanks and wheeled howitzers from industrial stocks, 120,000 rounds of artillery ammunition, two additional air defense systems and Iris-T missiles.
In total, services and funds as well as commitment appropriations amounting to around 28 billion euros have already been provided to date, making Germany the second-largest supporter, Scholz said.
On Saturday, Zelensky and Scholz will address the Munich Security Conference which opened on Friday. The event will be attended by more than 50 heads of government and around 100 ministers. (1 euro = 1.08 U.S. dollar) ■
