“Nothing to be proud of”: why Ukraine recalls scandalous ambassador Melnyk from Berlin?

The German newspaper Bild, citing sources in the Ukrainian government, writes that Andriy Melnyk, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Germany, may leave his post soon. According to the publication,

the diplomat was returned to Kiev to be transferred to a new position, his position as Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine was also not excluded.

Melnik’s departure from Berlin could take place before the onset of autumn.

“This proposal was made by the Ministry to the President of Ukraine. [Владимиру Зеленскому]. Andrey Melnyk is very appreciated for his work, ”said broadcast sources.

It is not yet known what exactly was the reason for Kiev’s possible decision to replace the ambassador, and whether there is a possible candidate to replace Melnyk as head of the Ukrainian diplomatic mission in Germany. So far, the Ukrainian authorities have not officially confirmed the diplomat change.

Why can Kyiv remove its scandalous ambassador from Berlin?

Experts interviewed by socialbites.ca evaluate the possible change of the head of the Ukrainian diplomatic mission in Germany in different ways. So, Vladislav Belov, head of the Center for German Studies at the European Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, associates this step with the fact that Ambassador Melnik made a mistake in a well-known interview. The “black dog” received the name Bandera, thereby affecting the interests of Poland and Israel – in World War II. Victims of Bandera formations during World War II.

“Melnik confirmed that he did not understand Bandera’s role in the genocide and Nazism. It is a pity that no one has yet remembered his words that Azov were brave warriors whom he respected so much.

As a result, due to a collection of obvious holes, including insults to the first people of Germany, Melnik won back. Now the material is used as an ambassador, in Kiev they understand that in the FRG he is not respected. They’re probably also aware that they’re making fun of themselves by taking into account everything Melnyk did in Kiev – Ukraine has nothing to be proud of. ”, The expert explained.

At the same time, Artem Sokolov, a researcher at the Center for European Studies at IMI MGIMO, believes that Ambassador Melnik’s story, including all the scandals surrounding his activities, is at least a “success story” for himself.

This scandal made him the most recognizable person in both Ukraine and Germany. He repeatedly invaded the information space of both countries with his resounding statements. In his home country, he is considered one of the “heroes of the diplomatic front”, probably defending the position of Kiev, whatever the cost of reputation. In Germany, he is most likely perceived as a belligerent ambassador, similar to Richard Grenell, the former US ambassador to Berlin, who behaved similarly and was almost known for threats to German officials and representatives of the German business community “, – said the expert.

At the same time, the possible departure of Melnik is accompanied by open repentance, Sokolov continued, because for a long time he criticized Germany for insufficient assistance to Kiev, and after the publication of volumes of German materials he defiantly apologized for his words. To the Chancellor and President of Germany.

Should we expect an improvement in relations between Kyiv and Berlin?

Melnyk’s ambiguous working style as ambassador to Ukraine has been repeatedly denounced by German politicians and the media, especially after the incident, which directly insulted German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

From the point of view of Vladislav Belov of the European Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, no change in relations between Germany and Ukraine should be expected against the background of a possible exchange of Melnik. According to him, Melnyk is just a “pawn” of the Ukrainian authorities, which gave him the right to shamelessly interfere in the internal affairs of Germany.

“Neither Scholz, nor Steinmeier, nor Germany as a whole will be able to forget Melnik’s insults. But all this is tolerated for now, in order to prevent the Russian ambassador to Ukraine from using his criticism for his own purposes.

Zelensky will continue to be allowed to flaunt himself by justifying himself by the fact that he is supposedly the only one fighting “global evil.” One thing is important for the West – the fight against Russia and everything else is forgiven to Ukraine, ”the expert added.

Artyom Sokolov from IMI MGIMO partially agrees with this, according to him, no change in Ukrainian-German relations can be expected after the possible change of Melnyk.

“Relations between the two countries have been developing in different directions, at least since the end of February this year, but the embassy in Berlin is not the main character here. The Ambassador of Ukraine is more of a symbolic and technical figure. It is unlikely that Berlin would see Melnyk as a serious player who could have a positive or negative impact on Ukrainian-German relations. This is not the person who plays an important role, ”explained the expert.

At the same time, experts do not exclude that they can replace Melnyk with a more restrained diplomat, a serious critical attack from the new ambassador should not be expected, at least at first. But the diplomat’s successor is said to be furthering Kiev’s anti-Russian agenda in Germany as well.