Phone call between two presidents: Steinmeier and Selenskiz quell annoyance

This is an “important conversation”: Federal Reserve Chairman Steinmeier spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Selensky. According to the president’s office, the irritants were cleared. Selensky invited Steinmeier and the central government to Kiev.

After the scandal surrounding the summoning of Ukrainian federal leader Frank-Walter Steinmeier, signs now indicate relaxation and reconciliation: Steinmeier telephoned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zhelensky for about 45 minutes. This has been confirmed by the Presidential Spokesman. The head of state’s office has said that past annoyances are gone.

Steinmeier expressed his solidarity, respect and support for Selensky for “the courageous struggle of the Ukrainian people against the Russian occupation.” Both leaders described the conversation as “very important” and “very good.” “Both presidents agreed to stay in close contact.”

Steinmeier and the whole government were summoned

According to the Federal President’s Office, Zhelensky invited the federal president and the federal government to personally visit Kiev.

Steinmeier actually wanted to go to Kiev in April – along with the presidents of Poland and the three Baltic states. However, he was discharged on short notice from the Ukrainian side. Steinmeier’s policy as a former foreign minister who criticized Ukraine as pro-Russian was the background.

Federal President Olaf Scholes has so far refused to travel to Ukraine because of Steinmeier’s invitation, where he will be welcomed by Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Andrei Melnik. “The fact that the president of the Federal Republic of Germany has not been invited is a problem. It’s in the room,” Scholes said after a cabinet meeting in Meseberg Castle last Wednesday.

Continuing criticism from Ukraine of German reluctance to supply arms to defend against Russia has also not helped Berlin’s mood in recent weeks. During a visit to Bucharest on Thursday, Steinmeier reiterated what Germany is doing financially, militarily and humanitarianly in absorbing refugees. He said that as Germans we wholeheartedly support Ukraine.

Unlike top EU politicians and many EU member states, members of the federal government have not yet visited Ukraine since the Russian invasion. Traveled on the other hand CDU President Friedrich Merz recently moved to Kyiv. There he met with Selenskyj, among others, to whom he now thanked: “I am very grateful to President Selenskyj for accepting my request for the invitation of the federal president,” Merz told the German Press. “The way is now clear for personal meetings between the Federal President and the Federal Chancellor and President Selenskiz in Gavle.”

Shared today Chairman of the Bundestag Bärbel Bas (SPD) He wants to travel to Kiev to mark the anniversary of the end of World War II. The plan was confirmed by the Bundestag Press Office. Commemoration of World War II will be an official event in Ukraine next Sunday. Foreign Minister Annalena Bairbach has confirmed her intention to go to Kiev.