"It was intentional": Baerbock receives a harsh rebuff from Ukraine President Selensky instead of a meeting

Created: 2022-02-08 11:12 am

By: Stephanie Munk

A meeting between Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Ukraine's President Selensky was canceled.

She is apparently accused of being too close to Putin.

Munich - appointment problems?

That is the official explanation why a meeting between Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) and Ukraine's President Selensky on Tuesday did not work.

But apparently there is more behind it: Ukraine is pissed off at Germany's lax attitude towards Russian President Vladimir Putin, writes a CNN reporter on Twitter, citing Ukrainian government circles.

Annalena Baerbock is currently in Ukraine to mediate in the extremely dangerous conflict with Russia.

Today she originally wanted to meet the President of Ukraine Volosymyr Zelensky.

But nothing will come of it.

Baerbock himself said at a press conference in Kiev that the appointment had been canceled because the French Foreign Minister actually wanted to take part, but was unable to come.

"The travel plans have changed," said the Green politician.

"If every day could be planned, then it wouldn't be a tricky situation."

Baerbock in Ukraine: Selensky doesn't want to meet her on purpose?

But is there more to it than that - namely thick air between Germany and Ukraine?

CNN reporter Jake Tapper claims to have learned this, citing a source within the Ukrainian government.

From this he knew that Selensky had deliberately let the appointment with the German Foreign Minister burst.

The Ukrainian President was disappointed that Baerbock refused to say that Germany would bury the Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea gas pipeline if Russia attacks Ukraine.

In addition, Ukraine is displeased with Germany's refusal to supply arms to Ukraine.

The cancellation of the meeting is "officially described as a scheduling error," Tapper writes, "but that wasn't the case, the source told me it was intentional."

The CNN reporter, citing his source, writes that many in Kiev and Eastern Europe increasingly see Germany as an ally of Russia and not the West.

Chancellor Scholz: No clear rejection of Nord Stream 2

There has been a lot of criticism in recent weeks that Germany is not taking a firm enough stance on Putin in the Ukraine crisis.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) also failed to give a clear answer to the question of whether he would bury Nord Stream 2 if Putin invaded Ukraine at his meeting with US President Joe Biden on Monday.

Scholz wants to travel to Ukraine and Russia next week to mediate between the countries.

Annalena Baerbock visits the front line between government troops and separatists in Ukraine this Tuesday.

French President Emmanuel Macron was in Moscow on Monday and spent five hours negotiating with President Putin.

He then explained that a solution was needed that took into account the interests of both Russia and the rest of Europe.

"We must work together to develop new concrete security guarantees," said Macron, without giving details.

"There is still time to take the path that keeps the peace," he added.

Ukraine crisis: Nord Stream 2 is an important means of pressure on Putin

The situation on the border between Russia and Ukraine has been tense for weeks. Putin has posted around 125,000 soldiers on the border, but denies invasion plans.

A new war in Europe is feared internationally.

An important means of pressure on Putin is the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, with which Russia wants to deliver gas to Europe through the Baltic Sea.

US President Joe Biden said Monday Nord Stream 2 would be history if Russia attacks Ukraine.

The German government has so far avoided making this clear announcement.

Germany also does not want to meet Ukraine's demand for arms delivery - the government only promised to provide 5,000 helmets, which led to widespread incomprehension and even ridicule.

Scholz's hesitant attitude towards Putin was again sharply criticized in the program "Anne Will".