More Ukrainian refugees are now leaving Germany than entering. For the Ukrainian ambassador, this means that the refugees do not feel comfortable here. Germany bears responsibility for many deaths.
According to the Ukrainian Ambassador Andriy Melnyk, many Ukrainian refugees are turning their backs on Germany because they don’t feel welcome here. “Most Ukrainians are returning, long ago,” said Melnyk on “Bild” TV. “There are more people leaving this country than coming to you.” In Germany, people should think about why so many Ukrainians “don’t want to stay here.”
From the Ukrainian point of view, Germany is responsible for many deaths because it has not yet delivered any heavy weapons, Melnyk said. He expects Chancellor Olaf Scholz to promise delivery of German tanks to Ukraine when he visits Kyiv. “Unfortunately, without German heavy weapons, we will not be able to break Russia’s massive military superiority and save the lives of soldiers and civilians,” said Melnyk. “The Ukrainians expect that Chancellor Olaf Scholz will announce a new aid package for German armaments during his visit to Kyiv, which should definitely include ‘Leopard 1’ main battle tanks and ‘Marder’ armored personnel carriers that can be delivered immediately.”
According to media reports, Scholz plans to travel to Kyiv this month with French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi. Officially, the visit was neither confirmed nor denied. Melnyk said it was disappointing how slowly Germany was delivering arms to Ukraine. Six million rounds of ammunition have arrived since May 3, but no more weapons. “Therefore, we hope that the traffic-light government will finally step on the gas pedal to massively increase both the scope and pace for Ukraine to repel Russia’s major offensive in Donbass.”
Two days after the Russian attack on Ukraine, the German government decided to deliver weapons to the war zone – breaking a taboo. Since then, rocket-propelled grenades, anti-aircraft missiles, fragmentation grenades and more than 20 million rounds of ammunition have arrived in Ukraine. Heavy weapons such as artillery pieces and anti-aircraft tanks have been promised but have not yet been delivered.
