Scholz visited Kyiv together with French President Macron, Italy’s Prime Minister Draghi and Romania’s head of state Iohannis. Selenskyj spoke of a “historic day” for his country, and the traffic light parties also praised it. How did the international press see it?
The Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia writes: “The visit of European leaders to Ukraine is a demonstration of European power and their defense of a political system that values rights and freedoms and rejects authoritarian rule. He also shows readiness to extend the scope of this system to Ukraine at the European level. And last but not least, the visit is also a necessary reaction to the brutal Russian challenge. (…)
Peace – this should not be forgotten – is and always will be the main goal. But in the current situation, defending European values is appropriate and indispensable.”
The Dutch daily “de Volkskrant” comments: “’The insulted liverwurst’ is in Kyiv. That could have been another tweet from the unabashed Ukrainian ambassador in Berlin, Andrei Melnyk, on Thursday. The man is the nuisance of German politics and especially of Chancellor Olaf Scholz. (…)
In Kyiv on Thursday, the Chancellor promised long-term financial and humanitarian support, ‘and yes, also arms, as long as it is necessary for the resistance of Ukraine’. But unless his pledges become more concrete soon, chances are the Ukrainian ambassador in Berlin will soon be tweeting to put the thawing German-Ukrainian relationship back on hold.”
Speaking for US broadcaster CNN, David A. Andelman commented: “I wonder when, with rising energy costs and inflation triggered by sanctions against Russia, voters in Europe and America will lose interest in a war that seems to have no end and whose proportions are ever-increasing as both sides head towards a protracted standoff. In fact, Zelenskyy declared some time ago that Ukraine will not give up any territory in exchange for an end to the war.”
The Polish daily Rzeczpospolita comments: “First the positives: the heads of state and government of the three largest EU countries voted in favor of granting Ukraine the status of an EU candidate country. This is also of particular importance for Poland. Scholz assured that Europe is on the side of Ukraine. These are words that cost little. But he saw Irpin, the scene of Russian war crimes, and it made him realize what this war is like.
The visit of Draghi, Iohannis, Macron and Scholz filled Ukrainians with hope and pride, hearing about their courage and Russia’s full responsibility for the war. He has reignited interest in a war that is already wearying in the West. But is the aid promised to the Ukrainians enough to recapture the occupied territories? One can doubt that, but it would be nice if the doubts were unfounded. In addition, Chancellor Scholz, the head of the most important European country, only spoke of weapons to ward off Russian attacks, but not to drive the Russians out of Ukraine.”
Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter comments: “Certainly, Europe has rallied around the flag of Ukraine faster and more decisively than most dared to believe or hope. Certainly there is agreement that Russia’s invasion is unlawful and inexcusable. Certainly Ukraine was supplied with arms and other means for its defensive war. But words are one thing, actions are another. In contrast to Baltic, Polish and British leaders, for example, the three who met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday are among those who have recently lowered their eyes and murmured something about compromises.
The message from Macron, Draghi and Scholz must be that they are fully behind Ukraine. Nothing of the country’s territory may be traded away. The EU must do its part to get rid of its dependence on Russian gas, support Ukrainian membership, continue to support Kyiv with arms and money, and tighten sanctions against Russia.”
The Austrian daily newspaper Der Standard comments: “Three months after the visit of the heads of government from Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia, it was high time that the leaders of the major founding members of the European Union went to Kyiv. However, key issues still need to be negotiated at EU level – this will be continued on Friday with the Commission’s recommendation on candidate status. And one should not expect a way out of the main dilemma from the visit anyway: namely that a negotiated solution with Russia and the territorial integrity of Ukraine seem to continue to be mutually exclusive.”
Longtime commander of US troops in Europe, Ben Hodges, is convinced that Russia will launch one last major offensive in Ukraine in late summer. If the west of Ukraine supplies everything possible in terms of weapons, it can successfully defend itself, said the ex-general.
The Ukrainian General Staff has admitted defeat in the battle for Sieverodonetsk. The last bridge is destroyed – evacuation is impossible. Heavy Ukrainian shelling continues in occupied Donetsk. All the news about the attack on Ukraine.
Before the party congress of the left, things are seething in the party. According to a “Spiegel” report, a group led by Sahra Wagenknecht has submitted an amendment to the main application for dealing with Russia. No longer to be found in it: the declaration of solidarity with Ukraine.
