press review
Undesirable in Ukraine
“Understandable, but presumptuous and short-sighted”: This is how the media commented on Kiev’s basket for Steinmeier
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier gives a statement on the cancellation of the trip to Kyiv
© Jens Büttner / DPA
The outrage is great. After the Ukrainian government’s de facto cancellation of a visit by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, criticism has grown – also in the German media. The press review at a glance.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier wanted to travel to Kyiv, but the Ukrainian leadership turned down the President’s visit. “I was willing to do that. But apparently – and I have to admit – that was not wanted in Kyiv,” said Steinmeier in Warsaw. The presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia made their way to a meeting with Ukraine’s head of state Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday without their German counterparts.
The fact that Steinmeier was uninvited caused outrage and concern in political Berlin. SPD foreign politician Michael Roth described the decision as “not appropriate”, and SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich made a similar statement. Union foreign policy expert Jürgen Hardt (CDU) spoke of a “heavy burden” and called for Chancellor Olaf Scholz to call Kyiv immediately.
The media also see Ukraine’s decision as an unusual diplomatic affront and see clear signs of how dissatisfied the leadership in Kyiv is with German politics. The international press review at a glance.
“In truth Zelenskyj meets himself”
“Allgemeine Zeitung” (Mainz): The spectacular unloading is now a heavy blow. And an unfortunate move by Zelenskyj. The Ukrainian President still has an allergic reaction to the name Steinmeier, sharply criticizing its former proximity to the Kremlin. Yes, Steinmeier misjudged relations with Russia as foreign minister in earlier years. He’s stuck with Nord Stream 2 for too long. But the President apologized for his mistakes. He could have done that more convincingly – no question. However, such an affront is of no use to anyone. Especially not Ukraine. On the contrary: this reaction gives Vladimir Putin and the Russian army more time.
“Badische Zeitung” (Freiburg): The Federal President has now become the target of Kiev’s frustration reduction. And yes, one probably thought that with Frank-Walter Steinmeier as the figurehead of German Russia-friendliness, it would somehow hit the right person. In truth, Selenskyj is hitting himself. The affront will cost him sympathy and tend to increase reservations about Germany’s stronger commitment to Ukraine.
“The time”: Instead of finally living up to its responsibility and its promise of solidarity, Germany sends Steinmeier of all people so that he can stage his symbolic purification against the backdrop of the Kiev war landscape and with the Ukrainian president as a supporting actor. It is understandable that Selenskyj does not want to take part in this. It is not his rejection that is actually putting a strain on relations between the two countries, but Germany’s Ukraine policy, which has been wrong for years and is still insufficient today.
“Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”: Declaring him an unwanted guest wasn’t a wise decision, though. That doesn’t make a visit to Kyiv by Scholz any more likely. From this affront, Putin will draw hope that the first cracks will form in his opponents’ camp. With all sympathy for the desperate situation of the Ukrainians, anyone who has an enemy like Putin should not willingly put a strain on their relationships with their friends, especially their relationship with their biggest financier.
Attacks, people fleeing, nuclear power plants and the proportion of gas: graphics on the conflict in Ukraine
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“Ultimately only one person benefits – Vladimir Putin”
“Handelsblatt”: The rumored refusal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to see the Federal President is understandable, but at the same time presumptuous and short-sighted. This is understandable, because Frank-Walter Steinmeier held on to intensifying German relations with Russia for a long time and despite all the setbacks. (…) A country under pressure like Ukraine has every right to shout, demand and denounce. But it shouldn’t make the mistake of now jeopardizing unity with exaggerated comments. Because it’s about attitude and resistance to Russia, not about attitude notes as in diplomatically better times.
“Pforzheim newspaper”: Today it is clear: Steinmeier, large parts of the SPD, but also Merkel, with their behavior, prepared Putin for the warlike path that he is treading today. In this respect, the Ukrainian anger is all too understandable, even today. But the example of Ambassador Andriy Melnyk already shows that diplomatic affronts tend to be counterproductive. German displeasure with Melnyk and his attacks is growing. And now? Talk, smooth things over, remain understanding – the enemy of the free world sits in Moscow. Not in Kyiv and not in Berlin.
“Rhine Palatinate” (Ludwigshafen): In the past few weeks, the federal government and Steinmeier, as the highest representative of the Federal Republic, have left no doubt as to which side they are on in the war in Ukraine that Russia started. Kyiv’s no to Steinmeier’s visit will not change this attitude. In this respect, the actual damage is rather manageable; The whole process must also take into account the desperate situation in which Ukraine and its President Volodymyr Zelensky find themselves. Ultimately, however, only one person benefits – Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin, for whom such disputes between his “enemies” suit them.
“Distinguishing Between Real Enemies and Difficult Friends”
“Stuttgart Newspaper”: It is an unparalleled (un)diplomatic affront: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has signaled to his German counterpart that he does not currently attach importance to his visit to Kyiv. The German head of state is therefore an undesirable person in the neighboring country hit by Putin’s violence. But does that also apply to German aid, which is expressed in the late but extensive arms deliveries? Nobody will expect gestures of gratitude for this – but maybe a little more sensitivity. Steinmeier’s longstanding blindness to Putin’s true nature cannot be remotely corrected in this way. Especially in war it would be wise to distinguish between real enemies and difficult friends.
“Southwest Press” (Ulm): The word ‘affront’ is no longer sufficient: the Ukrainian government has declared Federal President Steinmeier an undesirable person. This is embarrassing for the German head of state, but he will get over it. But it is also an unprecedented rejection of the most powerful and richest EU country in the middle of the war. So far, President Zelenskyy has been extremely successful with his radical policy of images and symbols, but he threatens to overdo it with this invitation. Not only does he risk damaging overwhelming German solidarity, but also jeopardizing European unity in the face of the Russian aggressor.