Kiev, Ukraine (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Ukraine for the first time in over 2½ years on Monday, barely weeks after being lambasted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over a phone discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin. That conversation came at a time when there was great concern about what President-elect Donald Trump’s new administration might entail for Ukraine, given his commitment to stop the conflict. In a significant move, Zelenskyy hinted Friday that an offer of NATO membership to territories under Kyiv’s control could bring an end to “the hot stage of the war” in Ukraine. Scholz’s visit comes ahead of an early German election scheduled for February. As the campaign begins, Scholz has highlighted Germany’s role as Ukraine’s The incoming president has promised to stop the strife. In a significant move, Zelenskyy hinted Friday that an offer of NATO membership to territories under Kyiv’s control could bring an end to “the hot stage of the war” in Ukraine

Scholz’s visit comes ahead of an early German election scheduled for February. As the campaign begins, Scholz has emphasized Germany’s place as Ukraine’s second-largest weapons supplier, as well as his “prudence” in seeking to keep the conflict from growing and refusing to sell Taurus long-range cruise missiles..

Scholz has been wary of talks regarding Ukraine’s quick pathway to NATO membership. In recent months, he has underlined the significance of finding a route to peace, while emphasizing that it must not come at the expense of Ukraine’s sovereignty. Scholz stated that during his meeting with Zelenskyy, he will announce more military deliveries totaling 650 million euros this month.

“I would like to make clear here on the ground that Germany will remain Ukraine’s strongest supporter in Europe,” he told reporters. Despite this, Scholz was chastised by Zelenskyy in November for communicating with Putin, which appeared to be his first conversation with the sitting leader of a major Western state in nearly two years. In that call, Scholz pushed Putin to be willing to negotiate with Ukraine, but the Russian leader insisted that any peace deal reflect Russia’s territorial gains and security concerns, notably Kyiv’s refusal to join NATO.