After severe criticism from the Ukrainian ambassador, the German government has taken Frank-Walter Steinmeier under its protection. “We reject the criticism of the Federal President,” said Deputy Government Spokesman Wolfgang Büchner in Berlin. This applies “with all understanding for the exceptional situation in which Ukraine finds itself in this appalling war”.
Had in connection with the Ukraine war Ambassador Andriy Melnyk Steinmeier accused of being too close to Russia. “For Steinmeier, the relationship with Russia was and remains something fundamentalyes holy, no matter what happens, even the aggressive war doesn’t play a major role,” Melnyk told the “Tagesspiegel” on Sunday. Germany still has too many self-interests towards Russia, for example in relation to gas, oil and coal, according to the ambassador Steinmeier’s actions as head of the chancellery and later as foreign minister are also to blame.