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Andriy Melnyk, Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany
Photo:
IMAGO/M.
Popow / IMAGO/Metodi Popow
According to the Ukrainian ambassador Andriy Melnyk, more Ukrainian refugees are now leaving Germany than are coming to the Federal Republic.
“Most Ukrainians are returning, long ago.
There are more people leaving this country than coming to you,” said the “Bild” ambassador.
In Germany, people should think about why so many Ukrainians "don't want to stay here," Melnyk added.
From the Ukrainian point of view, Germany is responsible for many deaths because it has not yet delivered any heavy weapons.
He then demanded concrete commitments from Chancellor Olaf Scholz for the planned trip to Kyiv.
"We hope that during his visit to Kyiv the chancellor will finally keep the German promises regarding arms deliveries and Ukraine's accession to the EU," he told SPIEGEL.
Melnyk criticized that they are still waiting for the delivery of heavy weapons such as the Panzerhaubitze 2000 and the Gepard anti-aircraft tank.
Announcements alone are no help against the invaders in war.
It is therefore hoped that the chancellor will provide concrete data on when the weapons will arrive.
"Especially since the promises were made months ago."
Melnyk is also hoping for progress when it comes to EU accession.
"If the German Chancellor, together with the heads of government from Paris and Rome, sends a signal that Ukraine can become a candidate for accession, that would be more than just a strong symbol," said Melnyk.
The diplomat pointed out that Scholz had always said that he didn't just want to travel to Kyiv for a photo shoot.
According to a media report, Scholz wants to travel to Kyiv later this month.
The SPD politician is planning a visit with French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi before the G7 summit at the end of June, reported the "Bild am Sonntag" on Saturday, citing French and Ukrainian government circles.
The scandal surrounding the "liver sausage" statement
Melnyk had already attracted attention in the past with rather undiplomatic statements about the federal government.
Among other things, he had described Chancellor Scholz as "offended liverwurst".
The statement dates back to early May.
It was about the German's refusal to travel to Kyiv and set a symbol.
"Playing an offended liverwurst doesn't sound very statesmanlike," the Ukrainian ambassador scoffed at the time.
"It's about the most brutal war of annihilation since the Nazi attack on Ukraine, it's not a kindergarten," Melnyk is quoted as saying.
Scholz had refused the trip, referring to Frank-Walter Steinmeier's unloading.
The Federal President, who played a key role in shaping Germany's Russia policy as Foreign Minister and Chancellor's Office, announced that the Ukrainian leadership had rejected his visit.
The dispute is now considered settled.
jok/dpa