“Pretty remarkable event” and “liver sausage”
When asked about a potential trip to Ukraine, Chancellor Scholz spoke in an interview with ZDF, noting that the visit would be a significant moment amid ongoing tensions. He described Kyiv’s decision not to invite a certain high-level visitor as “quite a remarkable event.”
Scholz argued that a president should not be blocked from visiting a country that provides substantial military and economic aid, support that helps guarantee security in the region. The comment reflected a broader concern about the ability of diplomacy to move forward even in the midst of intense conflict.
Andriy Melnyk, Ukraine’s ambassador to Germany, criticized Scholz’s refusal to travel to Kiev. He dismissed the exchange as a distressing display and called the situation a stark contrast to a safer, calmer environment. Melnyk’s remarks were cited in Spiegel, highlighting the sharpened rhetoric surrounding high-level diplomacy during wartime.
“Kyiv did not want this”
After Russia’s military operation began, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and leaders from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland converged in Kiev for talks. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was also invited to join, with the aim of demonstrating pan-European solidarity with Ukraine. However, Kyiv did not extend an invitation to him.
On April 12, Steinmeier stated that he was ready to visit Kiev, but Kyiv did not want that visit. The German press later added that Zelensky personally denied Steinmeier’s trip, suggesting that lingering ties between Steinmeier and Russia, along with the German president’s support for the Nord Stream 2 project, influenced Kyiv’s decision. A Ukrainian diplomat quoted by Bild noted Steinmeier’s close connections with Russia and said he was not welcome in Kiev at that time.
At the same time, Zelensky’s office announced that decisions from Berlin were expected on oil embargo measures against Russia and on continued military and economic assistance to Ukraine, signaling ongoing negotiations and expectations on the broader support package.
Diplomats commented that in diplomacy, invitations carry weight. A top Ukrainian official explained that while heads of state often travel with invitations from their counterparts, uninvited visits can still happen, though they may be perceived as impolite. The expert emphasized that any visit should aim to deliver tangible results, such as commitments on oil embargoes, weapons supplies, or broader EU integration discussions that could support Ukraine’s rebuilding and security needs.
Despite the controversy, there remained a willingness in Kyiv to welcome high-ranking officials from Germany, including the possibility of a future visit from the German chancellor to advance dialogue and aid commitments.
The reaction of the German authorities
Germany’s political landscape reacted with frustration. Friedrich Merz, head of the conservative Christian Democratic Union, characterized Kyiv’s refusal to accept Steinmeier as an insult and suggested the move amounted to an overly emotional reaction that did not help either side. Scholz, for his part, expressed that the gesture was unusual and somewhat disappointing, noting that the situation was confusing for Germany.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed regret and said that the planned trip would be valuable to pursue further dialogue. The German government signaled continuity in its approach, with plans to move forward and keep discussions open about Ukraine’s needs and the broader European security framework.
As the situation evolved, officials indicated that subsequent visits and negotiations would continue, with discussions on energy independence, the scope of military assistance, and Ukraine’s path toward reconstruction and potential EU alignment remaining central to the dialogue. The tone suggested a shift toward pragmatic engagement, even amid disagreements and political sensitivities.