“Needs strong deeds too”
Ambassador Melnyk criticizes handling of Zelenskyj’s speech
03/17/2022, 4:38 p.m
The Ukrainian Ambassador Melnyk is certain that the Ukrainian President’s speech before the Bundestag will have a lasting effect. But in an interview with ntv, he is also disappointed that Parliament then went on with the agenda.
The Ambassador of Ukraine in Germany, Andriy Melnyk, has criticized the German government’s handling of the speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in front of the German Parliament. “It (the speech) will of course have an impact here in the Federal Republic, but you also need strong deeds, and we are waiting for that,” said Melnyk in an interview with ntv. He himself had watched the speech, which was broadcast from Kyiv by video, from the tribune of the Bundestag.
The ambassador expressed his disappointment that after the speech, Parliament went straight to other issues. For two days, attempts have been made to ensure that the agenda is changed and that there is a debate and possibly a government statement to explain the federal government’s plans. “The Ukrainians want to know what’s coming and how they can help,” said Melnyk.
As a counterexample, he cited the announcement by the US government after Zelenskyj’s speech to the US Congress on Wednesday that it would quickly deliver more weapons. “We also need signals like this from Berlin.” However, he was optimistic that Selenskyj’s message had reached Chancellor Olaf Scholz. “We hope that what is coming now will be bold decisions to support Ukraine as it should.”
The Ambassador called the President of Ukraine’s speech to MPs a “historic moment”. He emphasized that although it contained criticism of Germany, the main focus was on the appeal to help end the war. “It’s not just about arms deliveries, although that is of course the order of the day,” said Melnyk. Selenskyj had also campaigned for Ukraine’s EU accession prospects. “That wouldn’t cost the traffic light government a cent, but would send an enormous signal.”
Ukraine demands airlift
In the speech, Selenskyj asked for more German help for his country. He called for an airlift to support the population. He also spoke about the brutal actions of the Russian troops in the country. He accused Germany of not doing enough to prevent Russia’s February 24 attack.
After the speech, the Deputy President of the Bundestag, Katrin Göring-Eckardt, went on to deal with the parliamentary agenda – under outraged criticism from the plenum. The Union, which approved the agenda on Wednesday, requested a debate on Zelenskyj’s speech – which was prevented by the majority of the traffic light parties.