Berlin (dpa -AfX) – The former Ukrainian ambassador in Germany, Andrij Melnyk, criticized the coalition agreement between the Union and SPD with regard to help for Ukraine. “With regard to the crucial question of how and with which concrete military means the war of aggression in Russia should be stopped at short notice, you can only find general wording that even falls behind Olaf Scholz,” Melnyk told the “Berliner Zeitung”. The diplomat will in future represent its country as an ambassador at the United Nations in New York.
At the traffic light government, at least it was said that Ukraine should not lose the war and had to be supported as long as necessary. “Now it says:” We will strengthen and reliably strengthen our military, civilian and political support of Ukraine together with partners “, (…)” so that they can effectively defend themselves against the Russian aggressor and assert themselves in negotiations, “said Melnyk. “If (the Russian President Vladimir) Putin reads this foggy coalition agreement, he can open a bottle of Crimea.”
Nevertheless, the coalition agreement is not a step backwards. Because there is also remarkable progress, such as the confirmation of the EU and NATO accession of Ukraine or an attempt to use frozen Russian state’s assets for Ukraine, said Melnyk.
Melnyk appeals to Merz
“Only: In the most pressing point, every concrete promise is missing: namely, what will the new coalition be doing in the next critical months to bring the russia to a standstill with massive arms deliveries? Because one thing is certain: Germany is now our ally No. 1.”, added Melnyk.
He also appealed to the allegedly future Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU): “I know you and trust you a real historical turnaround – for Germany and Europe. On May 6th, the day of your inauguration, give the green light to deliver all the available fighter jets – Eurofighter and Tornados – and 150 Taurus marching aircraft.”
As an ambassador in Berlin, Melnyk had criticized the Federal Government unusually openly and sharply because of what he believes is hesitant for weapons in the defense against Russia. In October 2022 he returned to Kyiv and became Vice Foreign Minister. In June 2023 he moved to Brazil as an ambassador ./asn/dp/he