Sunak praises Scholz's support for Ukraine in Berlin visit

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (R) welcomes UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with military honours in front of the Federal Chancellery during his official visit. Kay Nietfeld/dpa

Rishi Sunak praised Germany's support for Ukraine during his first visit to Berlin as Britain's prime minister.

Britain stands alongside Germany "as the two biggest supporters of Ukraine" in Europe, the Conservative politician said on Wednesday.

Sunak also applauded Scholz's "historic decision" in 2022 to sharply increase defence spending, and Berlin's recent announcement that it would send another Patriot air defence system to Kiev.

But the prime minister, speaking alongside Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the German capital, did not respond directly to a question about Scholz's refusal to deliver the Bundeswehr's long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (R) and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hold a joint press conference at the Federal Chancellery. Kay Nietfeld/dpa

© Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH