Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is trying to restore ties with the German government, three weeks after the controversy surrounding President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s abortive visit to kyiv.
The AFP said it had learned from the German presidency that the Ukrainian head of state on Thursday invited his German counterpart to go to the Ukrainian capital with Chancellor Olaf Scholz. We do not know if the offer was accepted.
MM. Zelensky and Steinmeier had a phone conversation very good and very important allowing relieve irritationat agreed to remain in close contactaccording to the news agency source.
In their conversation of nearly 45 minutes, the German Head of State declared the support and respect of Germany against brave struggle of the Ukrainian peoplehe added.
Steinmeier was scheduled to travel to Kyiv on April 13 with his counterparts from Poland and the three Baltic countries, but he withdrew, saying his visit was without kyiv doesn’t like it.
The German Tabloid Photo reported that Mr. Zelensky himself refused Mr. Steinmeier’s visit. People close to the Ukrainian president denied the information, but without convincing Chancellor Scholz.
It was well received. I don’t want to comment anymore. Somewhat annoying, be politehe commented in a subsequent interview.
The German Chancellor called the incident as a obstacle on a possible visit from him.
Mistake ”
President of Germany since 2017, Mr. Steinmeier previously served as chief of staff to Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and foreign minister to his successor, Angela Merkel.
He was involved in this capacity in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, a project that was suspended at the end of February, following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine.
At the beginning of April, Mr. Steinmeier admitted that his adherence to this project, which was supposed to double Germany’s supply capacity for Russia’s gas, is clearly a mistake.
According to the AFP source, however, Mr. Zelensky did not express any criticism here during his conversation with Mr. Steinmeier.
Mr. Scholz has been heavily criticized, including within his ruling coalition, for his alleged lack of leadership in times of crisis, as well as his reluctance to travel to kyiv and deliver heavy weapons to Ukraine.
Germany finally confirmed last week that it would provide kyiv with Gepard -type tanks, armored vehicles equipped with two radars and two guns intended to shoot down enemy planes.
Source: Radio-Canada
