Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of Germany (left), and Andrzej Duda, President of Poland [Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] Major foreign media reported on the 12th (local time) that German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier abandoned his plan to visit Ukraine due to being hampered by his past pro-Russian actions.
President Steinmeier announced that he would cancel his planned visit to Kyiv, stating that he would not be welcomed in Ukraine. He is currently visiting Poland. Prior to Steinmeier's visit, Polish President Andrzej Duda proposed to Steinmeier that he visit Kyiv together with the presidents of the three Baltic states. It is known that President Duda suggested the Kyiv visit to demonstrate solidarity between European countries and Ukraine.
President Steinmeier said, "I prepared to visit Kyiv and certainly should visit, but the Ukrainians do not want me to," announcing the cancellation of his Kyiv visit plan.
After the German daily Bild, which boasts the largest circulation in Germany, reported President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's stance, President Steinmeier announced the cancellation of his Ukraine visit plan. According to Bild, President Zelenskyy said he would not meet Steinmeier even if he visited Kyiv.
There is significant dissatisfaction in Ukraine due to President Steinmeier's past pro-Russian actions.
During his tenure as Germany's Foreign Minister, President Steinmeier maintained a strong relationship with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He strongly supported the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which directly connects Russia and Germany without passing through Ukraine, and described Russia as an indispensable partner.
A Ukrainian diplomatic official told Bild, "We know everything about President Steinmeier's relationship with Russia," adding, "At this point, President Steinmeier will not be welcomed, and if there is any change in the future, we will see."
Andriy Melnyk, the Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, also criticized, saying, "Steinmeier made many deals with Russia as if spinning a web," and "He shares thoughts with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who despises the nationality of Ukrainians."
Recently, President Steinmeier admitted his mistake, saying, "It was clearly a mistake to be obsessed with Nord Stream 2."
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