After Steinmeier unloading
Scholz expects concessions from Ukraine
05/04/2022, 2:05 p.m
Scholz continues to refuse a trip to Kyiv because of Federal President Steinmeier’s disinvitation. The Chancellor currently sees the pawn in Ukraine: There you also have to “make a contribution in discussions with the Federal President,” emphasizes Scholz.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has asked the Ukrainian government to approach President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. In view of the upset about Steinmeier’s discharge, he was of the opinion that “Ukraine must now also make its contribution in discussions with the Federal President,” said Scholz at the end of the cabinet meeting at Meseberg Castle. Talks are currently taking place between the two sides on the subject, said the Chancellor.
After the trip to Ukraine by opposition leader Friedrich Merz, Scholz reiterated his initially negative attitude towards his own visit. “It’s a problem that the President of the Federal Republic of Germany was uninvited. And that’s in the air,” said the SPD politician, and he knew he was in agreement with “almost everyone in Germany.” Scholz also noted that he had previously been to Kyiv and had had long, “constructive and good” talks with the Ukrainian president on several occasions. Since then he has also spoken to Selenskyj very often on the phone and will continue to do so, they are in close contact with each other.
Steinmeier’s unloading did not prevent Merz’s trip. He spoke to Merz about it and will continue to talk to him after his return, said Scholz. The CDU leader traveled to Kyiv on Tuesday and met President Volodymyr Selenskyj and Mayor Vitali Klitschko, among others. He announced that he would first inform Scholz about the details. In principle, he can only recommend that the Chancellor hold talks on site, Merz made clear.
Scholz had previously rejected his own trip to Kyiv, referring to the fact that Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier had been uninvited by the Ukrainian side at short notice in April.