Ukraine rejects German President Steinmeier’s planned Kyiv trip, report says

Frank-Walter Steinmeier planned to travel to the Ukrainian capital on Wednesday to express solidarity with the government after Russia’s invasion

But Zelensky’s administration told Steinmeier that he wasn’t welcome amid his pro-Moscow stance, Bild reported

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German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Photo: AFP

Published: 1:08pm, 13 Apr 2022

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier wanted to travel to Kyiv but his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky’s government let him know that his visit wasn’t welcome, Bild newspaper reported.

Steinmeier planned to travel to Kyiv on Wednesday as a signal of solidarity with the Ukrainian government after Russia’s invasion, Bild reported.

“I was prepared for it,” the newspaper cited him as saying in Warsaw on Tuesday. “But apparently, and I have to take this on board, that wasn’t desired in Kyiv.”

The president’s office didn’t immediately respond when contacted for comment.

Steinmeier has been criticised by Ukrainian officials for his past support for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany and for his role when foreign minister of encouraging reconciliation and dialogue with Moscow.

In a rare admission, Steinmeier gave a television interview earlier this month in which he said that he shouldn’t have advocated for Nord Stream 2 and was wrong to have overlooked the protests of Germany’s neighbours, including Poland.