DW: The rejection that Kiev made of Steinmeier is wrong

When Steinmeier at the press conference with the Polish president, Duda was suddenly tailing the answers to the questions, it became clear, that something was wrong. Shortly afterwards, the news came from Germany’s largest boulevard newspaper: “Zelensky bans federal president Steinmeier from traveling to Ukraine!” Shortly afterwards, the German president appeared on camera.

Unwanted in Kiev

His colleague and friend, the Polish president, Andrzej Duda, had the idea that they, together with the presidents of the Baltic countries, would undertake a trip to Kiev, to “send and establish there a strong sign of solidarity with Ukraine.” said Steinmeier in a brief statement. “I was ready for it, but apparently, and I have to record it, because it was not desired in Kiev.” Presented in clear language, but it seemed, that the president was affected. It is he who has been committed to Ukraine for years, must ask himself, how it got to the point of being in front of the ruins of his efforts. There was no explanation for the reasons for the rejection, there is just a lot of speculation. But no matter how right all these reasons may be, they cannot undo that the rejection of Steinmeier was wrong.

Frustration is a bad advisor

Yes, for a short time this serves Kiev as a valve to express frustration and despair over Germany as well as the role of Steinmeier in particular. The federal president has long had close relations with Moscow and did not take seriously warnings about the Russian threat to Eastern Europe, especially Ukraine. Steinmeier supported the Nord Stream pipeline and in 2008 as Merkel’s cabinet foreign minister was part of the German veto over NATO membership in Ukraine. Kiev’s disappointment list is long. Steinmeier himself recently admitted mistakes.

Apparently the German SPD politician has distinguished very little between the intended goal and the effect achieved. Thus no one should be surprised why the German commitment to Ukraine as well as the extraordinary financial assistance of recent years are forgotten. Yes, German politicians acted naively and arrogantly. Some need their turn in foreign policy – more understanding for the East and less for Russia. But you can not assume for Steinmeier’s bad intentions.

The frustration of the past was actually multiplied by new mistakes. Chancellor Scholz should have traveled to Kiev long ago, delays in arms supplies and blocking sanctions were added to the list. And if Scholzi will not come and help, why should he wait for Zelensky, the representative representative of Germany in a war zone. It is well known that the president of a country struggling for survival needs decisions and not symbolic gestures. He also loves the role of extras. All of these reservations are understandable.

Fatal effect

And yet the rejection of Steinmeier’s short-term journey has far-reaching political consequences, while looking to the future is irresponsible. If someone acts, that he is right, it does not mean at all that he is doing the right thing. By declaring Steinmeier undesirable, the Ukrainian government is not achieving its goal because it is tearing down bridges. Under these conditions even the chancellor will not travel to Kiev. This deprives him of respect for the highest post in the country. So this morning Ukraine wakes up with a big uproar, although the other four presidents will still go to visit. This only makes clear the flaws within Europe, which no one needs.

Zelensky’s harsh treatment of the German president unnecessarily jeopardizes the great sympathy for Ukraine in Germany. And for this the German government needs, if it will remain strong in domestic politics and stabilized to help in the future. A divided Germany does not help anyone. Apo? Someone all this suits. Despot in Russia, who daily needs to feed the propaganda machine. This time unfortunately Zelensky offered it all.

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