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Scholz planned to visit Kiev even before German ruling coalition collapsed — media

It is noted that Scholz had previously stated multiple times that no decision "should be made behind the Ukrainians' backs"

BERLIN, December 2. /TASS/. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit to Kiev was planned prior to the collapse of the ruling coalition in Germany in early November; the main purpose of the trip is to understand what Vladimir Zelensky is prepared to do to settle the conflict in Ukraine, the Bild newspaper reported, quoting sources in Scholz's entourage.

According to the publication, Scholz had firmly planned to visit Ukraine after the US election and before Donald Trump assumes office as US president. He wants to show that, despite the collapse of the coalition and the early parliamentary elections, he remains the incumbent chancellor of Germany and is ready to engage in significant political negotiations, the newspaper said.

Bild noted that Scholz had previously stated multiple times that no decision "should be made behind the Ukrainians' backs." The chancellor is reportedly aiming to strengthen Kiev's position in the event that Trump pushes for negotiations to resolve the conflict. Earlier on Monday, Scholz arrived in Kiev for an unannounced visit, his first in two and a half years. The German leader is set to meet with Zelensky and stated on his X account that he would inform the president about Berlin's plans to supply Ukraine with €650 million in arms in December.

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Ukrainian forces abduct children in Selidovo — member of parliament

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Ukrainians flee from Kiev regime to regions reunited with Russia — politician

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Scholz planned to visit Kiev even before German ruling coalition collapsed — media

It is noted that Scholz had previously stated multiple times that no decision "should be made behind the Ukrainians' backs"

Russian passengers on Antarctica cruise liner with engine failure go on hunger strike

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Trump wants to set 100% duties on BRICS goods if they create single currency

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Press review: Ukrainian trace behind militants in Syria as protests in Georgia radicalize

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, December 2nd

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Georgian president calls on protesters in Batumi to exert pressure on Constitutional Court

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Russia designs Titan rifle for commandos

The rifle is reliable with precise and dense fire

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German minister says Israel has no excuse for hampering aid deliveries to Gaza

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Israeli military force Iranian plane make U-turn over Syria — media

According to the newspaper, the incident took place in the early hours on Sunday