German Press: Unmatched (non) diplomatic insult by Zelensky to Steinmeier

DW Maria Rigoutsou

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was to travel to Kyiv with his Polish counterpart.

His trip was canceled because he does not seem to like the Ukrainian government. In the past, the German president had pursued a pro-Russian policy, which he described as wrong last week.

The Stuttgarter Zeitung comments: “An unparalleled (non) diplomatic insult. Ukrainian President Zhelensky told his German counterpart that he did not currently attach importance to his visit to Kyiv. The German president is unwelcome in a country plagued by Putin’s violence. But does this also apply to German aid, which – albeit belatedly – translates into an extensive arms shipment? No one expects gratitude for this, but maybe a little more sensitivity. “Steinmeier’s prolonged blindness to Putin’s true nature may not be remotely remedied, but it would be wise, especially in times of war, to distinguish between real enemies and difficult friends.”

The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung has a similar view: “It was not a wise decision to declare the German President an undesirable person. This does not make it more likely that (Chancellor) Soltz will visit Kyiv. From this insult, Putin will gain hope that the first cracks will be created in the camp of his opponents. “With all the understanding of the desperate situation of Ukrainians, anyone who has an enemy like Putin should not strain their relations with their friends, especially their relationship with their biggest financier.”

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