Berlin, 3 July 2023 (dpa/MIA) - In a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz discussed the political, military and humanitarian situation in Ukraine.

In the conversation on Monday, Zelensky thanked the German government for its military support in Ukraine's defensive struggle against the Russian invasion, especially for strengthening air defence and artillery, government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said.

Scholz reaffirmed "the continuing and unbreakable solidarity" with Ukraine. Germany would continue its support, including in the military field, in close coordination with European and international partners.

According to the spokesman, the chancellor and the Ukrainian president also agreed to "continue their constructive exchange, also with a view to global support for a peace solution, and to remain in close contact."

Scholz and Zelensky also called for the extension of the grain agreement under the aegis of the United Nations beyond July 17 because it would help improve global food supplies.

The agreement was reached last year and ended a Russian naval blockade of Ukrainian Black Sea ports that lasted several months and was imposed by Moscow after it launched its war of aggression against the neighbouring state.

In return, Russia demanded the easing of Western sanctions that hindered Russian agricultural and fertilizer exports. Moscow has since complained several times that this demand has not been implemented.

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