caused by the war with russia. where do you see germany's relationship with russia in the future? so before actually come to this, we have to understand the will on a short term perspective. and also in the long term perspective, on the short term perspective, what ukrainian president settings to wants is basically more weapons. and also, i'm investing teams getting from germany with this very big military package, but on the long term, once the war, and there are certain elements, that's the only ukraine, but many countries that are helping ukraine will have to consider. one is, as you mentioned, rebuilding ukraine, another one is bringing those to justice who have committed war crimes. that's one of the reasons why presidents that landscape not long ago was actually in the hague in the netherlands. so these are elements that are already important, that they're already playing a role in discussions you had, for example, some time ago, a meeting here of justice administer from the g 7 the but precisely looking at how to, to carry out these issues, how to look for example that persecuting those who have committed war crimes. so

those are elements that we always have to consider is not only about weapons and increasing weapons deliveries and military aid. it's also by looking at what happens once the war ends. there is an understanding among a southern part of germany's population. i wouldn't say it's necessarily a majority, but it's a significant part that russia in the future will have to have a relationship with germany and with other countries. the question is how the question is under what conditions? because it a clear understanding from the german government, by the way, from other governments as well that what russia has done in ukraine is unacceptable . and as such, you contact relationship with a country that has done such things and you create a has been evaded, another country as russia did. so that's why the perspective from the german government is that now the focus has to be on helping ukraine politically. and militarily and once that will end and that's something that's primarily that important has to has to do, then you can discuss how peace would look like what peace could be, how that future relationship could be. but for now, how the main goal is such

a need to be side by side with ukraine and to show that support. and the way that germany is showing that support right now is precisely with this visit with welcoming savanski with military honors, with welcoming landscape. not only in the top 30 with tons of discharge what's but also in trust, but who in the view products with the german president, the front part this time my works, the president, the head of states here in germany. and it's also not forget that president savanski will be receiving a very significant prize later today in the city of austin, in west and germany at the charlemagne price. and it's a price that's given to individuals who pay an important role in europe in unity. it just says that a lot that celebrity will be receiving this award. if you're just joining us, we are awaiting a press conference by your training president of lot of mirrors, lensky and german chancellor. all of schultz presidents. lensky is on a visit to berlin, where he already met with german head of state. frank balter stein meyer at the

belgian palace and then following that he was received with military honors at the chancellor. him, after that, there were some bilateral talks between the german chancellor and the ukrainian leader. and we are now anticipating their remarks on what they discussed at the press conference. and as soon as that gets underway, we will be bringing it's live to you on the w at thomas. something else that you mention is the significance of ukraine's place in europe. and i know that along with weapons, along with financial support for rebuilding the country, something else is very important for presidents the landscape which he mentioned in his tweet after he arrived in berlin, is ukraine's future as a part of the european union. and perhaps looking even further down the road in nato. what role does germany have in supporting ukraine in these aspirations to

become part of the european and possibly also nato, and how realistic are these aspirations? germany is a very important country when it comes to both nato. so the trans atlantic military alliance and also within the annual germany is one of the most powerful countries in both of these institutions. so any support that ukraine could get from germany will be very important for ukraine's aspirations now. germany doesn't understand, or at least would wish that ukraine could have that role embedded within these institutions, especially embedded within the european union framework at the same time. reality is very clear in that that is not something that will happen very soon, or at least not as soon as they ukrainian leader would want. this has to do with the fact that to become a member of the european union, and you need to carry out actually lots of reforms in the country. you need to meet certain requirements, you need to meet certain rules. and that is something that,

in certain cases ukraine hasn't met. so one thing is looking at the duration ukraine would like to be part of the european union and would like to be more imbedded in these structures. and i think there is an understanding from the european union that is kind of have that perspective that you would give his perspective. but the big question is, when you claim to all these reforms, to carry out these reforms, to actually become a member of the european union. so it's about the short term on the one hand, receiving military equipment that it can then use on the back of the field. but the base, it is also about the, the medium to long term. in other words, what kind of political support ukraine to get and particularly see print in government when he comes to being part of these european structures? are now thomas also in terms of ukraine's aspiration for the european becoming part of the european union. what about the countries that oppose it? what are their arguments? when you look at the european union,

you have to understand that there are 27 different countries with 27 different agendas with 27 different foreign policy is obviously in many aspects they have been able to come together and have one view. but in the most controversial issues, it's normally the case that there are different perspectives that southern countries, for example, have close ties with russia in this particular case that other countries have also economic interest that have to be considered. so having one common position on base is significant when it comes to the european union. and by the way, it's also one of the big challenges. so from the eju perspective, i think it is clear that you create may have that, that perspective to be a member, but that certain elements have to be met. i already mentioned reforms coming from ukraine, but i think also it has to do with different to europe in union countries, the different 27 year to be on the union countries being able to bring their own issues to the table. so they can also be met. it's not going to be a past process,

it's not going to be a quick process. but it is something that you create in presidents that landscape was suddenly at least bring to a table when he meets that only tons of the shows today here in by then. but also in his other visits to where they grew up. again. capitals, he does not feel good and he was in the netherlands enough feel good that he wasn't feeling under the don't forget that he wasn't mentally. so i see this visit something much broader than only coming to germany. it's part of his efforts of presidency. lance, because efforts to really show that he wants to be part of the european community. and that's why we've seen him now. visits different european union capital, seduce w political correspondent, thomas sparrow. thomas, thank you for all of your analysis. do stand by. we are still awaiting the press conference by creating president of what i'm. here's the wednesday and german chancellor will love schultz. and once that press conference does get under way, we will be giving you live coverage of that. and also more analysis with our correspondent thomas sparrow. but since russia's invasion of ukraine last year,

ukrainian president zaleski leadership has been put to the test. he's emerged largely as a symbol of strength and resistance. and now we have this look at how this unlikely leader has navigated europe's 1st warren decades. which one with their avenue going to email? that'd be nice. so you cranes, president below the nearest the landscape. estimate for work or time leaders who never expected to be one. it's tend to get something to do yet. but rushes. 2022 invasion shattered europe's post cold war order. and literally marching to the anniversary of nazi germany's world war 2 to feed savanski about ukraine would prevail in today's struggle against aggression from a different neighbor. literally something new to the board on one side. we fought then to we fight now, so that no one ever again and slaves, other nations or destroys other countries. so, in ship grain, you sent this on all those old evils that modern russia is bringing back will be

defeated. just as nazi germany was defeated for us with the lensky rose to fame as a comedian starting as a fictional president and the popular tv show servant of the people. it became the name of his real life political campaign with a focus on tackling corruption planning to go by the way, the goal is to be done. zalinski was 41 years old when ukrainians elected him president in 2019 as russia a mast for so long as a border with ukraine. so lensky down played talk of a possible invasion the size, but when russian troops across the border and began advancing on keep so lensky remained on the capital in a show of courage. with reading the shop, with a more deep, seemed over his nightly video messages helped to keep up morale, and inspired world wide admiration. as ukraine pushed back against the russian invaders, the 2 lensky has also visited troops close to the front line,

including near the embattled eastern city of buck moot. so lensky is communication and public image. in contrast to the authoritarian style surrounding rushes, president vladimir putin has helped to craner and western sympathies, and pledges have continued support. so lensky has been especially keen to prosper membership in the european union on a visit to brussels ahead of the 1st anniversary of russia's invasion. he said there wouldn't be peace in europe until ukraine was a part of the e u. c moment. and there was nobody we are protecting europe from the regime that has proven that it only has one desire to destroy the freedom of europe and to be an authoritarian master on the continent. not going to name it is for this commitment to defending europe and its values below them. here's the lensky has been chosen for this year. charlemagne prize the used top award for contributions to european unity or you're watching dw news and we are bringing you live coverage

of an anticipated pet press conference between ukrainian president flooding their zalinski and all of schultz in berlin. the press conference is due to begin within the coming minutes. and while we wait for that to get underway, i have in the studio with me to w as political correspondence. thomas speros, who's been putting zalinski visits and all the circumstances surrounding it into context for us. thomas, this is a very highly anticipated visit by the ukrainian leader, but it almost didn't happen to this. it almost didn't happen because there was a big controversy a few days ago when some of the apparent details of this visit would lead to the german press. and some of those details actually came to light and they were criticized both by ukraine universities. and also it is here in berlin. you may

know obviously that when the ukrainian president travels to different aust, that's there are very, very many security issues that have to be considered. normally when they, you printing president travels abroad, the visits are either unannounced or announced really shortly before. so the fact that some of those details were linked to the german press, that was really a big controversy here. in fact, let's do an investigation by berlin police on the possibility of revealing state secrets. that's the big woods. so you can imagine what kind of a controversy you happened behind the scenes. it's unclear whether some of the details have to be changed. but it did put the whole visits with a big question mark. it was unclear whether presidents it and he would come until the very last minute. so the fact that he has now arrived in the lane that he has now met the german, a president to find about that time as of germany's head of state. the fact that he's now meeting german chancellor or last short and

a chance to read the fact that we're not waiting for this press conference. us can see the german chancellor be there in the picture and probably saw it sunset and skin meeting. and one of the upper levels of the german, transitory and when the press conference starts, they will actually come down to where we see those 2 podiums, the german price. and also probably ukranian members of the press are also waiting that for the, for the questions. so the fact that we see all these images is important on the wrong time on the medium term, but also because it was probably not happening. if you judge by that controversy in the last few days. and now the lens key traveled to berlin from italy, where he also held talks with italian leaders as well as the pope. and we understand that a german government plane came to pick him up from italy. and this plan was even accompanied by the loose prophets of the german air force. now is the lensky this morning was given full military honors. when he arrived at the german chancellor,

what do all of these measures say about how the lens keys visit here in germany is being perceived by the government? but one important element that i also think we need to understand is if we put this into the broader context, understanding that presidents the landscape not only come into germany, but as you mentioned, also went to italy also went defended and also went to the netherlands, is the fact that you've used this as a sort of european look of things that he wants to make sure that europe and countries continue to support ukraine. the longer the war drags on the longer the war continues. the higher the risk, according to certain analysts that interest from european capitals could actually way could become low. so i think with he's, with his visit with the fact that he's coming to the drum and the transitory and visiting the jump on the president. then also going to wait till the in other countries. he basically wants to tell those governments continue is helping you

claim, continue sending weapons, make sure that the public in each country does not stop its support does not get tired of the will. so this is another element that i think we have to, to include in our discussions is not only about giving but receiving more west funds or looking to the future of a possible you perspective. it's also about making sure that the interest on ukrainian issues on ukrainian affairs, in particular, when it comes to the work actually remains high. i do believe that's one of the reasons why mister savanski decided to stop all these different visits to european capitals and making sure that he can reinforce that idea. that support has to continue even if the wall continues as well. what we have been waiting for is this much anticipated ukrainian spring offensive. it seems to be delayed and zaleski himself said just last week. i believe that there still a postpone.