Merz wants to go to Kyiv and apparently duped the BKA - Scholz is said to have offered him advice
Created: 05/02/2022Updated: 05/02/2022 05:02
By: Marcus Giebel
Prepares his visit to Kyiv: CDU leader Friedrich Merz (right) wants to show himself alongside Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskyy.
© IMAGO / Mike Schmidt
Olaf Scholz will probably not visit Ukraine any time soon.
Friedrich Merz doesn't seem to be able to wait to travel to Kyiv for that.
Despite a warning from the Federal Criminal Police Office.
Munich - Volodymyr Zelenskyj can apparently look forward to high-ranking visitors from Berlin in view of the Ukraine war.
The Ukrainian President had rejected a trip by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Kyiv - probably because of the long-standing pro-Russian policy of the German head of state.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz tends to avoid the country, which is under heavy attack.
But now, with Friedrich Merz, the leader of the opposition wants to pick himself up.
The chief of staff of the CDU chairman, Jacob Schrot, confirmed the plans via Twitter.
Three messages are linked to the trip.
It should be shown that Germany is on the side of Ukraine.
In addition, Merz wanted to take "concrete requests for support" with him on the return trip.
And it is about expressing the "joint political responsibility of the opposition and the government".
Merz wants to travel to Ukraine: BKA has concerns - Merz rejects their personal protection
However, the Merz Tour does not only arouse enthusiasm.
As the
Tagesspiegel
reports, the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) "explicitly" advised him against it and pushed for a postponement.
Background: Merz is said to have only informed the security authorities on Friday that he wanted to go to Kyiv.
That was too short notice for the BKA, it needed more lead time for such a dangerous trip, the authorities said.
Merz is also said to have rejected personal protection by the BKA.
A CDU spokesman only said: "No comment on travel details and organization of security."
Merz wants to visit Selenskyj: Kremlin warns of an attack on Kyiv
Most recently, the Kremlin issued warnings to the West.
According to Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, the Russian army is ready at any time "to launch retaliatory strikes on decision-making centers in Kyiv with long-range, high-precision weapons".
And further: "With such measures, it would not necessarily be a problem for Russia if representatives of certain Western countries were present in these decision-making centers."
No empty words: For example, Kyiv was bombed during the visit of UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Video: US politician Pelosi visits Zelenskyy in Kyiv - "Until victory is achieved"
Merz plans trip to Ukraine: CDU politician taunts Scholz
That doesn't seem to deter Merz, however.
He gets backing from the Union.
"Friedrich Merz is doing what a Federal Chancellor should have done long ago," emphasizes Michael Brand.
The human rights policy spokesman for the Union parliamentary group adds: “Many heads of government, foreign ministers and others have symbolically linked themselves to Ukraine through their on-site presence in Kyiv.
The German government is avoiding this like the devil avoids holy water, just as it has refused to give prompt and serious support to Ukraine in its struggle for survival.”
Which would have killed two birds with one stone.
Because the reluctance to deliver arms to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia makes Scholz appear anything but strong and decisive.
For Brand, the former finance minister "looks more and more like a little cowardly man, and not like the chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany".
Merz travels to Kyiv to Selenskyj: Scholz knows about it and is said to have offered advice
After all, Merz Scholz is said to have previously informed that he wanted to travel to Ukraine.
A government spokesman confirmed this to the
Tagesspiegel
.
According to the report, the CDU leader was offered foreign policy advice by the Chancellery, but he declined it.
The question remains when to start.
According to the newspaper, the Merz team is speaking on Monday.
However, at the beginning of the week there is a joint presidium meeting with CSU boss Markus Söder in Cologne, followed by Hendrik Wüst, the Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, for a press conference with the duo.
The election campaign in the most populous federal state is entering the decisive phase, with elections taking place on May 15.
Merz could therefore stop by Selenskyj on Tuesday after an eventful day.
Exactly when the first exam of the Scholz cabinet takes place in Meseberg Castle.
Who will end up owning the headlines of the day?
(mg)
