Merkel as a mediator in the Ukraine war?

Melnyk hopes for "certain role"

Created: 08/27/2022, 06:42

By: Andreas Schmid

Ukraine's (still) ambassador Melnyk can imagine a mediating role for former Chancellor Merkel in the Ukraine war.

(Archive photo) © Britta Pedersen / dpa picture alliance

Angela Merkel is currently largely holding back from politics.

Should she act as a mediator in the Ukraine war?

Ambassador Melnyk says: "Not now, at some point."

Berlin - The outgoing Ukrainian ambassador Andriy Melnyk is known for controversial statements.

The diplomat regularly garnished his diplomatic demands, for example for more arms deliveries, with criticism of German politics.

He described Chancellor Olaf Scholz as "offended liverwurst" because he did not want to travel to Ukraine after criticism from Kyiv of Federal President Steinmeier.

Scholz's predecessor, Angela Merkel, repeatedly attacked Melnyk in public.

Merkel's policy with regard to Ukraine's NATO accession was a historic mistake.

"The excuses made by the former Chancellor for her categorical rejection of Ukraine's NATO membership in 2008 are absurd," Melnyk told the

in June .

After Merkel's first big television appearance after the end of her chancellorship, the diplomat recognized "not a hint of self-criticism".

Now Melnyk Merkel seems to be able to imagine herself as a mediator in the Ukraine war.

Merkel as Ukraine mediator?

Melnyk sees "certain role" for ex-Chancellor

"I think Ms. Merkel could play a certain role at some point in the war - not now - if she only wanted to, at some point," Melnyk told

.

Melnyk has the impression that Russian President Vladimir Putin still respects Merkel.

"Therefore, Ms. Merkel could definitely make her contribution at the moment when Putin is looking for an exit strategy."

He hopes that Merkel will have a similar opinion and will therefore not completely withdraw from politics.

Since the 2021 federal election, Merkel has only made a few public appearances, she can be seen at isolated events - but has no political task within the CDU.

Merkel has not yet commented on Melnyk's ideas.

In mid-June, she said in an interview with the

when asked whether she would be available as a mediator for a solution in the conflict: "This question does not arise at the moment." At the same time, the 68-year-old admitted that her influence on Putin had disappeared shortly before the end of office.

At a performance in the Berliner Ensemble a few days earlier, she had said on the subject: "I don't have the impression that it's of any use at the moment."

Ukraine negotiations: "I didn't hear that Germany was seriously ready"

Melnyk and other Ukrainian diplomats see things differently.

from

, the Ukrainian Consul General in Munich, Yuriy Yarmilko, spoke

of Ukraine's "good experiences" with negotiation mediators.

Yarmilko named Turkish President Erdogan and his role in the wheat agreement with the United Nations, but also spoke of German politics.

In theory, the federal government could mediate in the Ukraine war.

"But until now I haven't heard that anyone from Germany would be willing to take on this role seriously."

Yuriy Yarmilko, Consul General of Ukraine in Munich, in his office.

©Andreas Schmid

Schröder as Ukraine mediator?

"He missed his chance"

Ex-Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (SPD) was also repeatedly acted as a mediator.

He maintains close ties to the Kremlin and holds posts in Russian corporations.

Schröder traveled to Moscow during the war, but he did not act as mediator for an end to the fighting.

Melnyk, who has been dismissed as Ukrainian ambassador, does not believe in the former chancellor's role as a mediator: "Schröder already had his chance, but he squandered it."