Criticism of German Russia policy – Selenskyj invites Merkel to Bucha
“Many, many people are lying dead on the streets there”
The Bucha atrocities shook the whole world. “Cruel pictures that cause international consternation,” said WELT reporter Max Hermes about the massacre near Kyiv and the reactions to it. He also reports on the situation of the people of Mariupol.
After the discovery of numerous bodies in a Kiev suburb, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy invites former German Chancellor Angela Merkel on a trip. In Bucha she can see “what the policy of making concessions to Russia has led to in 14 years”.
Dhe Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has invited former Chancellor Angela Merkel to a trip to the city of Bucha, which has been ravaged by serious atrocities. In the Kiev suburb, Merkel – like former French President Nicolas Sarkozy – could get an idea of their failed Russia policy in recent years, Zelensky said in a video message on Sunday evening.
In 2008, the NATO states, including Germany, promised Ukraine membership, but then backed down out of consideration for Russia. Merkel was Chancellor from 2005 to 2021.
“I invite Ms. Merkel and Mr. Sarkozy to visit Bucha and see what the policy of concessions to Russia has led to in 14 years,” said Zelenskyy. “You will see the tortured Ukrainians with your own eyes.”
The pictures from Bucha, where numerous bodies of residents were found on the streets after the withdrawal of Russian troops, caused international horror on Sunday. Ukraine blames Russian troops, who until recently occupied the small town, for the massacre. Moscow denies that.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister: Planned new EU sanctions are not enough
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stressed on Sunday that he did not have high hopes for the new EU sanctions against Russia. He already knows the current drafts for the planned fifth package of punitive measures. Therefore, he can predict that they will not be enough, he said in a video message published on Twitter. In particular, an oil, gas and coal embargo against Russia, an exclusion of all Russian banks from the bank communication network Swift and a closure of all ports for Russian ships and goods are now necessary. This demand is also aimed at the economic powers of the G7.
Earlier in the evening, Chancellor Olaf Scholz had announced new sanctions against Russia, which had invaded neighboring Ukraine five weeks ago. “We will decide on further measures in the circle of allies in the next few days,” announced the SPD politician without giving any further details.
Kuleba also said that given the atrocities committed against residents of the Ukrainian city of Bucha, there can now be no excuses or hesitations about supplying arms to his country. “We need weapons – now!” he said, especially aircraft, tanks and heavy anti-aircraft systems.