“Offended liver sausage”: Melynk sharply criticizes Scholz for his trip to Kyiv – Weber taunts

Created: 05/03/2022, 15:15

By: Patrick Mayer

Andriy Melnyk (archive image) in the dpa interview © Kay Nietfeld/dpa

Despite uncertainties, Habeck is in favor of an oil embargo.

Melnyk criticizes Scholz for his canceled trip to Kyiv.

The news ticker on reactions from Germany to the Ukraine war.

• Ukraine conflict: Germany is concerned about the war in Ukraine and its consequences.

• "Offended liver sausage": The Ukrainian Ambassador Melynk sharply attacks Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

• Chancellor Olaf Scholz has criticized Ukraine for disinviting President Steinmeier.

  This "stands in the way" of his own trip to Kyiv.

• Traffic light advises on the consequences of the oil embargo: In a two-day closed conference, the federal government apparently wants to discuss the consequences of an oil embargo against Russia.

• You can read the background to the Ukraine crisis here.

Update from May 3, 10:40 a.m

.: The unloading of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who wanted to travel to Kiev during the Ukraine war, continues to cause a stir in Germany: Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in an interview that this incident was his own trip to Ukraine in the way.

This in turn prompted the Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Andrei Melnyk, to state that Scholz was behaving like "an offended liverwurst".

According to Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens), an oil embargo against Russia would be "tolerable" for Germany, but would have significant economic consequences.

The federal government also wants to discuss a possible oil embergo at its closed conference at Schloss Meseberg, to which it withdrew for two days on Tuesday (May 3).

You can read all about this and the further reactions in Germany to the Ukraine war in the news ticker.

"You also have to swallow something": EPP boss Weber teases Olaf Scholz

Update from May 3, 9:05 a.m

.: The EPP leader in the EU Parliament, Manfred Weber (CSU), does not understand that Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) still does not want to travel to Kiev.

“What should the Ukrainians do now?

Should you apologize for not inviting the Federal President?” Weber said on Tuesday on Bayerischer Rundfunk.

He asked Scholz to approach Kyiv.

Scholz had said on ZDF on Monday evening that President Frank-Walter Steinmeier's unloading by Ukraine was still "in the way" of his own trip to Kyiv.

The Ukrainians are "in a fight for survival," emphasized Weber.

Germany must therefore "swallow it now, once a decision has been made, which has also been conceded that it was not perfect." It is about showing solidarity.

He understands that the Federal President has a special role, said the CSU politician.

“But when you see the person, you have to point it out.

(...): The Ukrainians are paying for the mistakes that have been made in recent years, in Berlin and also by the Social Democrats.”

“Insulted liver sausage”: Melynk takes a sharp stance on Scholz about his trip to Kyiv

Update from May 3, 6:47 a.m

.: "Playing an insulted liver sausage doesn't sound very statesmanlike": With these words, the Ukrainian Ambassador Andriy Melnyk criticized Chancellor Olaf Scholz's (SPD) preliminary no to a trip to Kiev.

Melnyk continued to tell the dpa news agency: "It's about the most brutal war of annihilation since the Nazi attack on Ukraine, it's not a kindergarten." Scholz said on ZDF on Monday evening that President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was uninvited by Ukraine Journey in the way

.

Scholz said: "It cannot work that from a country that is providing so much military aid, so much financial aid that is needed when it comes to the security guarantees that are important for Ukraine's time in the future that you then say, but the President cannot come.”

Melnyk said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would still be happy to receive Scholz in Kyiv.

However, he added: "What Ukraine would look forward to much more than any symbolic visits is that the traffic light government will swiftly implement the Bundestag's proposal for the delivery of heavy weapons and fulfill the promises made so far."

Andriy Melnyk (archive image) in the dpa interview © Kay Nietfeld/dpa

Germany in the Ukraine war: Greens demand extra tax for war profiteers

Update from May 3, 6:05 a.m

.: The Greens want to approach higher corporate profits that are caused by wars and crises.

Referring to the Ukraine war, party leader Ricarda Lang said on Monday (April 2) in Berlin: "If it is obvious that some corporations are knowingly and above all making excessive profits from the horror of this war, then we should introduce an excess profit tax, which actively counteracts this."

This tax would ensure “that they also participate financially, that we all get through this crisis well and above all with a stronger cohesion”.

When asked whether this proposal could be implemented in the traffic light coalition with the FDP and SPD, Lang replied: "We are experiencing a new era, which means that there should be no bans on thinking in this turning point." They had the idea of ​​an "excess profit tax". Greens already put forward last year - at that time with a view to companies that were able to make big profits as a result of the corona pandemic.

Insists on extra tax on profits as a result of a war: Ricarda Lang (archive image) © Carsten Koall/dpa

Germany in the Ukraine war: Baerbock calls his counterpart Kuleba

Update from May 2, 10:45 p.m .:

Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) phoned her Ukrainian colleague Dmytro Kuleba this Monday.

As the Federal Foreign Office announced on Twitter, the call was about supporting Ukraine in the war against Russia.

Germany is continuing "close political coordination" with Ukraine, supporting the country in defending itself against the Russian attack with "weapons and material" and expanding this support, the ministry said.

Last week, after much hesitation, the federal government announced the delivery of Gepard anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine.

The government in Kyiv is demanding more heavy weapons from Germany.

Germany in the Ukraine war: Habeck defends Scholz's communications

Update from May 2, 9:55 p.m .:

Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (The Greens) has defended Olaf Scholz (SPD) against criticism that the Chancellor does not communicate enough about his Ukraine policy in Germany.

"I think this discussion is wrong," said Habeck on ZDF, emphasizing "that we are pooling our knowledge."

He praised the cooperation.

In the traffic light government there are "different people with different experiences, that is the strength of this federal government," said Habeck.

Germany in the Ukraine war: Scholz criticizes Ukraine and Selenskyj - "You can't do it like that"

Update from May 2, 8:30 p.m.:

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has defended his decision not to travel to Kiev.

In the ZDF program "Was nun...?" he justified his decision by saying that Ukraine had recently uninvited Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

“The fact that the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, who was elected for a second term with a large majority of the Federal Assembly, was disinvited” is “contrary to this.

You can't do that," said Scholz, criticizing the Ukrainian government.

"You can't say that the President can't come," while Germany is delivering weapons at the same time.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi had uninvited Steinmeier again because he had criticized him for his earlier Russia policy as a former German foreign minister.

In the video: Chancellor Scholz talks about Putin and Schröder

Germany in the Ukraine war: Gregor Gysi travels to the Ukraine

Update from May 2, 1:50 p.m .:

The left-wing foreign politician Gregor Gysi will travel through Ukraine from Tuesday

to Sunday

and, in addition to the capital Kiev, also the suburbs of Bucha and Irpin and the western Ukrainian city of Lviv to visit.

As parliamentary group spokesman Michael Schlick announced, Gysi will be accompanied by the left-wing candidate in the federal presidential election last February, Gerhard Trabert.

Visits to hospitals, emergency clinics and discussions with representatives of aid organizations are planned.

The journey through the war zone takes place without personal protection by the Federal Criminal Police Office and without the approval of the Bundestag Presidium.

Schlick said the BKA and Bundestag had proposed a one-day trip to the three-person delegation, which included Gysi and Trabert as well as himself.

But they refused and are now traveling without BKA protection.

Meetings with Ukrainian parliamentarians or the government in Kyiv are not yet planned.

Schlick explained that Gysi had asked the Ukrainian ambassador Andriy Melnyk to mediate talks, but had received no answer.

"The members of the delegation regret this, but will not skip the trip because humanitarian aid is more important." Trabert wants to give a clinic a dermatome donated by the association "Poverty and Health in Germany" for skin transplantation.

This association would hand over EUR 20,000 and EUR 6,000 to aid organizations from the parliamentary group and individuals.

Germany in the Ukraine war: According to Berlin, Germany is not a party to the war only through training

Update from May 2, 1:25 p.m .:

The federal government continues to assume that Germany will not become a war party under international law with the training of Ukrainian soldiers.

The federal government is aware of a report by the Bundestag's scientific service, said government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit in Berlin.

It is clear to everyone that one finds oneself again and again in a difficult balance.

Hebestreit stated: "We are convinced that the training of Ukrainian soldiers in Germany on weapon systems still does not mean direct entry into the war." Hebestreit was responding to a question about a report by the

on the report.

According to this, there is a consensus that Western arms deliveries do not count as entry into a war under international law - as long as one does not take part in combat operations.

However, it goes on to say: "Only if, in addition to the supply of weapons, the instruction of the conflict party or training in such weapons were also an issue would one leave the secure area of ​​non-warfare."

Germany in the Ukraine war: Wladimir Klitschko thanks for help and warns - "Kyiv not safe"

Update from May 2, 12:10 p.m .:

The former Ukrainian boxing world champion Wladimir Klitschko thanked Germany for the previous support for his country attacked by Russia and at the same time asked for further German help.

Germany's initial reluctance to support Ukraine with arms was wrong.

In the meantime, however, Germany and the Chancellor have "done an incredible amount" for his country, not only financially but also with weapons, as well as helping the Ukrainian refugees, for which he is very grateful, said Klitschko in the phoenix interview.

"You can't win a war with fists like in a boxing ring, but different rules apply, you need weapons and heavy weapons so that we can withstand the aggression of the Russian army," emphasized the brother of the mayor of Kiev.

Klitschko commented on the announced visit of the CDU chairman and Union parliamentary group leader Friedrich Merz in Kyiv with the words: "We expect every politician in the free world who shows solidarity with us." It is important to show that everything is done for peace want to do and to make it clear that Russia's alleged denazification of Ukraine is "just plain wrong".

However, Klitschko also emphasized that despite a certain normalization in the capital, there is still a threat of rocket fire.

“We have not rid the skies above of Russian missiles launched from Belarus, from ships and submarines in the Black Sea, and from Russia.

It is not safe in Kyiv for Western politicians.” 

Germany in the Ukraine war: SPD accuses Union of "partisan political instrumentalization".

Update from May 2, 12:05 p.m .:

The SPD chairman Lars Klingbeil has again accused the Union of using the Ukraine war for political purposes.

In the past few days, the CDU and CSU have "repeatedly been making noise that is trying to instrumentalize this war for party politics," said Klingbeil at a campaign event with the SPD's top candidate for the North Rhine-Westphalian state election, Thomas Kutschaty, in Düsseldorf.

Before that he wanted to “warn urgently”.

In this phase of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, "we shouldn't be playing partisan games," said Klingbeil.

That is "indecent".

"We need unity in German politics in order to send a clear signal to our partners," said the SPD politician.

With the joint application in the Bundestag to support Ukraine, this was achieved last week.

"But it should be the case that the Union stays on this course," said Klingbeil.

Germany in the Ukraine war: Habeck sees an “acceptable” oil embargo, but warns of price jumps

Update from May 2, 10:50 a.m.:

According to Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens), an oil embargo against Russia would probably be “tolerable” for Germany, but would “not leave the economy unscathed”.

Habeck said in Berlin that it was still unclear whether there would be an oil embargo against Russia in the near future.

Due to the measures taken by the government and companies, Germany can carry such an embargo - but other countries are "not ready yet," said Habeck.

In Germany, too, there would be "high price jumps" in the event of a supply stop for Russian oil, said the minister.

Switching to new suppliers could also mean a “temporary loss” of supply in some regions.

Overall, however, Germany will not "slip into an oil crisis," Habeck said with conviction.

In a short space of time, Germany has made "great steps forward" in becoming independent of Russian oil.

The economics minister warned of a situation in which Russia exports less oil, but the financial losses are more than compensated for by rising prices on the world markets.

There is also the danger of driving poorer countries into Russia's arms if the Kremlin advertises lower energy prices.

In that case, "we would have made a geopolitical mistake," Habeck said.

Germany in the Ukraine war: Traffic light advises on the consequences of the oil embargo

Update from May 2, 9.40 a.m .:

In the background of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, tough sanctions are being imposed on Russia.

Voices for an oil and gas embargo are also increasing significantly.

For example, the EU Commission is currently preparing a new sanctions package that also provides for the gradual introduction of an oil embargo, as reported by the

, citing diplomats.

Germany is now one of the countries supporting the introduction of the embargo.

Now the traffic light federal government apparently wants to discuss the oil and gas boycott intensively.

According to

information, the two-day retreat at Meseberg Castle will deal with the possible consequences of a tough embargo against Russia.

The embargo should actually be tough.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock previously emphasized on ARD's "Anne Will" that Russia should not be able to get back on its feet economically "for years".

Germany in the Ukraine war: Buschmann takes traffic light course and Scholz in protection

Update from May 2, 9:35 a.m .:

Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann (FDP) has firmly rejected the criticism of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and the traffic light coalition’s Ukraine policy.

"Everything that looks like a tactical petty dispute between parties is best avoided these days," said Buschmann of the Düsseldorf

.

He demanded: "We should coordinate closely in Germany" on how support for Ukraine could be structured in the best possible way.

"Ukraine has every right to defend itself against the Russian attack," said Buschmann.

"They have our firm support - not only with words and diplomacy, but also with financial support and the supply of weapons," said the minister.

Scholz emphasized this again at the weekend on behalf of the federal government.

On Saturday

, CSU leader Markus Söder sharply attacked Scholz because of his course in the Ukraine conflict and called him "unworthy of a German chancellor".

Harsh criticism has also come from the CDU for weeks.

According to reports, their party leader Friedrich Merz wants to

travel to the Ukrainian capital Kiev on Tuesday night

Germany in the Ukraine war: Baerbock defends weapons to Ukraine

Update from May 2, 5:29 a.m

.: Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has defended the federal government's decision to deliver heavy weapons to Ukraine.

"We also bear responsibility for inaction," said the Green politician in the evening on the ARD program "Anne Will".

"If we had made the decision now that we would not deliver any more weapons, no heavy weapons, then we would put more places in Ukraine in the hands of the Russian President.

(...) If we didn't do anything, the suffering of the Ukrainians would be much, much worse.” That is why the federal government has taken this next step.

Kuleba calls on the traffic light coalition to take on a “leading role” in the Ukraine war

Update from May 1, 7.45 p.m .:

The Ukrainian government classifies the German reaction to the Russian war of aggression as rather hesitant compared to other European countries.

In Monday's edition of the

, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Germany should "take the lead in Europe, especially when it comes to Ostpolitik."

This applies to arms deliveries to Ukraine, sanctions against Russia and the granting of EU candidate status to Ukraine.

Overall, Ukraine is hoping for “courageous, visionary decisions” by the federal government.

Although Kuleba showed appreciation for the previous arms deliveries from Germany.

The fact that Berlin has changed its attitude from week to week is a mystery to him.

Update from May 1, 2:28 p.m

.: Criticism of former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (SPD) is getting louder.

"Former holders of top offices who are apparently on the side of criminal governments cannot count on the support of this state," said FDP leader Christian Lindner at the weekend.

"We should draw conclusions," explained the head of the Liberals to the

newspapers.

Lindner emphasized that it was no longer conceivable for him that Schröder would be provided with an office by the taxpayer.

Gerhard Schröder (archive image) © Christoph Soeder/dpa

Is CDU leader Merz traveling to Selenskyj in Kyiv?

BKA is said to have "expressly" advised against it

Update from May 1, 1:31 p.m

.: The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) is said to

have “explicitly” advised Friedrich Merz against his planned trip to Ukraine , according to

The CDU boss had been asked to postpone the trip, the newspaper reported this Sunday.

Merz only informed the security authorities about the trip on Friday (April 29).

The BKA is said to have emphasized that such a trip to the war zone requires a little more advance notice.

According to the report, Merz is also said to have rejected BKA personal protection.

The Federal Ministry of the Interior did not want to comment on this when asked by the newspaper, and Merz did not initially comment either.

The trip should take place on Tuesday night, as the

reported.

In Kyiv there should possibly be a meeting with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj.

At the beginning of April, the chairmen of the Bundestag committees for defense (Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, FDP), external relations (Michael Roth, SPD) and European affairs (Anton Hofreiter, Greens) traveled to western Ukraine.

According to reports, CDU leader Friedrich Merz wants to travel to Ukraine.

© Fabian Sommer/dpa

CSU boss Söder attacks former Chancellor Schröder in the Ukraine conflict – "Stubborn, old man"

Update from May 1, 11:34 a.m

.: Sharp tones from the small CSU party conference in Würzburg: party leader Markus Söder called Olaf Scholz’s appearance in the Ukraine conflict “unworthy of a German chancellor”.

The AFP news agency summarizes this again this Sunday and provides more quotes (our first report on Söder's sweeping attack against Scholz's traffic light coalition in this news ticker).

Söder also sharply criticized Gerhard Schröder.

The former chancellor, who has been criticized for his friendship with the Russian head of state Vladimir Putin and his commitment to the Russian energy industry, is a "stubborn, bizarre old man for whom his own bank account is more important than Germany's reputation".

Schröder is embarrassing, "a shame for our country".

He should leave the SPD and give up his privileges as former chancellor.

Söder on Lambrecht in the Ukraine conflict: "She is completely overwhelmed"

CSU General Secretary Mayer said that in the meantime the question had arisen as to whether Scholz should be reported missing.

The Chancellor not only seemed overwhelmed, he had the impression "he is too," said Mayer.

"We do not need a chancellor who hesitates and procrastinates, we need a chancellor who takes responsibility, especially in these challenging times."

Söder said he hoped that with the Bundestag decision to deliver heavy weapons, the federal government would now turn the lever: "Germany has been making an embarrassing figure for weeks, this must also end last Thursday."

Traffic light coalition in the Ukraine conflict for Söder more of a "light organ"

In seiner angriffslustigen Rede attackierte Söder auch die regierenden Parteien SPD, Grüne und FDP. Eine Verkehrsampel sei mit einer klaren Lichtfolge geschaltet, diese Ampel erwecke aber „mehr den Eindruck einer Lichtorgel“. Verteidigungsministerin Christine Lambrecht (SPD) hielt Söder vor, wochenlang unsichtbar gewesen zu sein. „Sie ist völlig überfordert“, sagte er.

Den Grünen warf Söder vor, in kurzer Zeit zu große Sprünge zu machen. Früher seien die Grünen zu Friedensdemonstrationen gegangen, heute forderten sie „mit einem moralischen Rigorismus“ ständig Aufrüstung. Die FDP wiederum habe ihre finanzpolitischen Prinzipien über Bord geworfen.

In Bayern wird im Herbst 2023 ein neuer Landtag gewählt, das neue Grundsatzprogramm soll die Grundlage für das Wahlprogramm werden.

Reaktionen aus Deutschland im Ukraine-Krieg: Faeser wirft russischer Botschaft Kampagne vor

Erstmeldung vom 1. Mai: Berlin - „Manche Plattformen im Netz bieten ideale Voraussetzungen für Desinformationskampagnen und Kriegspropaganda“: Mit diesen Worten hat Innenministerin Nancy Faeser (SPD) der russischen Botschaft vorgeworfen, Falschnachrichten über den Ukraine-Krieg zu verbreiten.

„Das nutzt auch die russische Botschaft“, fuhr Faeser im Gespräch mit dem Handelsblatt (Ausgabe vom 2. Mai) fort. Sie schloss Konsequenzen nicht aus. Zwar habe die regierende Ampel-Koalition schon 40 angebliche Diplomaten ausgewiesen, „die wir den russischen Nachrichtendiensten zurechnen“. Aber es gebe „weitere Handlungsoptionen“.

Deutschland im Ukraine-Krieg: Kampf gegen russische Propaganda

The Russian war propaganda "must not have any influence on the internal peace in our country," emphasized the minister.

She pointed out that such hybrid threats are already being addressed.

For example, the European Union (EU) has ensured that the Russian propaganda

is not allowed to broadcast here.

"We have to counteract the false narratives, the lies and the disinformation with facts," stressed Faeser.

The 40 Russian diplomats were expelled in early April.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) justified this by saying that the members of the Russian embassy "worked in Germany every day against our freedom, against the cohesion of our society".