**Ukraine’s President Zelensky Meets with German Opposition Leader and Israeli President**
On January 22, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met separately with German opposition leader Friedrich Merz and Israeli President Isaac Herzog on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
**Talks with Merz Focus on Ukraine’s Peace Efforts**
Zelensky discussed “necessary efforts and coordinated actions with allies to achieve a just and lasting peace” with Merz, according to the Presidential Office. This comes as Germany’s parliamentary elections approach in February, and Merz is running for chancellor. He has previously urged Berlin to provide more support to Ukraine.
**Germany’s Chancellor Blocks Additional Funding**
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has blocked additional funding for Ukraine, which was proposed at 3 billion euros ($3.1 billion). This move has drawn criticism from coalition partners. However, Merz’s party supports the additional funding and believes it can be covered by the federal budget without increasing debt.
**Meeting with Israeli President**
During his meeting with Herzog, Zelensky highlighted shared challenges facing their nations and agreed on areas for future cooperation, particularly in security matters. Ukraine has sought to secure Israel’s backing in its war with Moscow, but so far, Israel has stayed out of the conflict while dealing with its own issues in Gaza and Lebanon.
**Ukraine Understands Captivity Pain**
The Ukrainian president also expressed understanding for the pain of having loved ones held captive, echoing a recent release of three Israeli hostages by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.