When Federal President Ignazio Cassis (61) traveled to Ukraine last Thursday, German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (66) should have traveled there as well. But the latter stopped suddenly. The reason: security concerns.
Now Steinmeier visited the Ukraine on Tuesday. After eight months of war, the German Federal President and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (44) meet. The meeting was preceded by numerous tensions between Berlin and Kiev, and the visit is now the subject of criticism.
“Icy top” and “stiff” handling
The German “Bild” writes that the mood was “frosty”. The “icy summit” ended with a brief handshake between Selenski and Steinmeier. The paper describes the scene: “No friendly gestures, no smiles, just move away from the stage.” According to the “Mirror,” the two are “respectful, yet a little stiff with each other.”
The newspaper concluded: “And if Steinmeier were to look at the man next to him now, at least for a moment, instead of just looking at the journalists in front of him, you would almost believe that the difficulties between President Steinmeier and President Selenski was not only settled rhetorically, but also personally overcome.”
Third attempt to visit Ukraine
Steinmeier originally wanted to travel to Kiev in mid-April. But Steinmeier, who as a former foreign minister helped shape Germany’s former Russia policy, was fired on the spot by Kiev.
In May, they officially got along by phone and Steinmeier was invited again. Last week, the visit was canceled at short notice for security reasons. German CDU members spoke of Steinmeier’s “fearful rejection” and an “international embarrassment” for Germany.
Steinmeier now pledged in Ukraine: “My message to the Ukrainians is: we are not alone by your side. We will continue to support Ukraine – economically, politically and militarily.” (EU)