Solidarity Ball for Ukraine
Melnyk regrets Steinmeier’s cancellation
04/26/2022, 09:37 am
Traditionally, the Federal President opens the Federal Press Ball. However, this year, when the event was declared a “Solidarity Ball for Ukraine,” he cancels it – which calls the Ukrainian ambassador Melnyk into action.
The Ukrainian Ambassador Andrij Melnyk expressed his disappointment at Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s decision not to take part in the Federal Press Ball this year. “I can imagine that many Ukrainian journalists, the board of directors of the federal press conference and, of course, numerous guests would have been very happy if the German head of state had supported this historic charity gala and its noble goals politically and personally with his participation “, he said. “Nevertheless, I hope that this federal press ball will give a tremendous boost of empathy and support for Ukraine, the Ukrainian people and especially for free Ukrainian media.”
The Federal Press Ball is organized by the Federal Press Conference, the association of capital city journalists. It is traditionally opened by the Federal President and the wife of the President of the Federal Press Conference. This year, the event in Berlin’s Hotel Adlon became the “Solidarity Ball for Ukraine” explained. Steinmeier announced on Monday that he would not be attending the ball next Friday. However, he expressly welcomes the great solidarity of German society with Ukraine and is happy to take the opportunity to participate in the fundraising campaign on the occasion of the ball.
Melnyk, on the other hand, will attend the ball. “It will be a special honor for me to attend this important event as a guest, to express my heartfelt thanks to German journalists who are reporting on my homeland and my compatriots in these dramatic days and weeks – even now in the middle of the war zones express,” said Melnyk.
In the past, the ambassador has repeatedly accused Steinmeier of being too close to Russia. Ukraine recently canceled a planned visit by the Federal President to Kyiv at short notice. Chancellor Olaf Scholz will also not take part in the federal press ball, according to a government spokesman. To a certain extent, he follows in the tradition of his predecessor Angela Merkel, who also regularly stayed away from the federal press ball. The SPD politician travels to Japan on Wednesday and will not return from this trip until Friday.