German Chancellor Angela Merkel, on the podium right, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, on the podium left, listen to the national anthems during the welcoming ceremony, prior to a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, June 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
The Associated Press
BERLIN (AP) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel appeared unsteady and was visibly shaking Tuesday as she greeted the new Ukrainian leader in the hot sun in Berlin, saying later that she clearly hadn't drunk enough water.
Merkel's whole body visibly shook and she pursed her lips as she tried to contain the situation as she stood with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in the 28-degree Celsius (82-degree Fahrenheit) heat while a military band played their national anthems outside the chancellery.
But following the anthems, Merkel seemed better, walking quickly along the red carpet with Zelenskiy into the building, pausing to greet the military band and take a salute.
About an hour later, following their meeting, Merkel told reporters at a joint news conference that they had discussed bilateral issues and the Minsk peace process during Zelenskiy's first visit to the German capital as president.
Merkel, who turns 65 next month, smiled broadly after a reporter asked whether her shaking was cause for concern. She replied that she was fine.
"Since then I've drunk at least three glasses of water, which I apparently needed, and now I'm doing very well," she said.
She laughed and gave Zelenskiy a smile when he assured reporters the chancellor had been secure at his side.
"She was totally safe," he said.
The dpa news agency reported that this was not the first time Merkel has been seen shaking under similar circumstances in the hot sun. It did not give a date for that incident, but said it was also ascribed to Merkel not drinking enough water.
And in 2014, Merkel postponed a television interview at the last minute after reported weakness, but her spokesman said at the time she was able to carry it out later after eating and drinking something.
It is not publicly known if Merkel, who has led Germany since 2005, has any health problems. German privacy laws are very strict on that type of information.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomes Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy with military honors for a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, June 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
The Associated Press
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, trembles strong as she and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, left, attend the national anthems as part of a military welcome ceremony in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, June 18, 2019. Merkel appeared unwell as she met with Zelenskiy in Berlin, visibly shaking as she received the new Ukrainian president at the chancellery. The incident came Tuesday afternoon as the two stood outside Merkel's office in the hot weather while a military band played their national anthems. Merkel's office had no immediate comment and the two were to hold a press conference later in the afternoon. Following the anthems Merkel seemed better, walking along the red carpet with Zelenskiy into the building, pausing to greet the military band and take a salute. Merkel turns 65 next month. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
The Associated Press
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, trembles strong as she and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, left, attend the national anthems as part of a military welcome ceremony in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, June 18, 2019. Merkel appeared unwell as she met with Zelenskiy in Berlin, visibly shaking as she received the new Ukrainian president at the chancellery. The incident came Tuesday afternoon as the two stood outside Merkel's office in the hot weather while a military band played their national anthems. Merkel's office had no immediate comment and the two were to hold a press conference later in the afternoon. Following the anthems Merkel seemed better, walking along the red carpet with Zelenskiy into the building, pausing to greet the military band and take a salute. Merkel turns 65 next month. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
The Associated Press
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, trembles strong as she and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, left, attend the national anthems as part of a military welcome ceremony in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, June 18, 2019. Merkel appeared unwell as she met with Zelenskiy in Berlin, visibly shaking as she received the new Ukrainian president at the chancellery. The incident came Tuesday afternoon as the two stood outside Merkel's office in the hot weather while a military band played their national anthems. Merkel's office had no immediate comment and the two were to hold a press conference later in the afternoon. Following the anthems Merkel seemed better, walking along the red carpet with Zelenskiy into the building, pausing to greet the military band and take a salute. Merkel turns 65 next month. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
The Associated Press
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, left, for a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, June 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
The Associated Press
German Chancellor Angela Merkel walks to welcome Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, June 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
The Associated Press
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy walks on the red carpet during the welcoming ceremony by German Chancellor Angela Merkel prior to a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, June 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
The Associated Press
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, right, review the honour guards during the welcoming ceremony prior to a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, June 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
The Associated Press
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, on the podium right, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, on the podium left, listen to the national anthems during the welcoming ceremony, prior to a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, June 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
The Associated Press
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, on the podium right, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, on the podium left, listen to the national anthems during the welcoming ceremony, prior to a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, June 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
The Associated Press
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, right, review the honour guards during the welcoming ceremony prior to a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, June 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
The Associated Press