The controversial ambassador of Ukraine in Germany, Melnyk, is conciliatory shortly before his departure. He would thank Chancellor Scholz in a conversation, even apologize – but also ask for more arms deliveries. On another question, however, he shows little insight.
The outgoing Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany, Andriy Melnyk, is hoping for clarifying talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz before the end of his service. “Ten minutes would be enough to say something, to say thank you, to apologize, but also to thank what we have been given in these six months,” said Melnyk on Wednesday evening on the “RTL direct” program.
Melnyk added that he also wanted to point out to Scholz how important further weapon deliveries were. He hopes “that the chancellor, despite the hesitation of the past few months, will understand that it is necessary and also in Germany’s interests that this war be over quickly.”
Melnyk also brought up former Chancellor Angela Merkel as a possible mediator between Ukraine and Russia. “I think Ms. Merkel could, if she only wanted to, play a certain role at a certain point in the war – not now – at some point,” he told Der Spiegel. “My impression is that Putin still respects Ms. Merkel. That is why Ms. Merkel could definitely make her contribution at the moment when Putin is looking for an exit strategy.”
For Merkel, this would be a “new chance to correct her fatal mistake in dealing with Russia and thus go down in history,” Melnyk explained. He knows that even in Ukraine “many people shudder at the name of Merkel.” But when it comes to ending the war, “the option of Merkel should not be ignored either.” The former chancellor “still bears an enormous responsibility for our country,” he warned.
Melnyk has been ambassador to Germany since the end of 2014. In early July, Ukrainian head of state Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree dismissing him. Melnyk is scheduled to hand over the business to his successor in October.
The diplomat had repeatedly and sharply criticized German politics in view of the Russian war of aggression in his home country and accused the German government of being too hesitant, particularly on the question of supplying arms to Kyiv. He often caused a stir with his statements, for example when he called Scholz an “offended liver sausage”.
When asked by the “Welt” TV station whether his provocative statements were always necessary, Melnyks said: “I think so”. At the beginning of the war in particular, “here in Germany, there was not necessarily a feeling of how terrible and barbaric this war was being waged”. Melnyk said he saw no other way to draw attention to the plight of the people in Ukraine. “That was the only reason not only to shake up politicians, but unfortunately also partly the public and to point this out.”
Nevertheless, Melnyk described his time as ambassador in Berlin as a “dream job”. “It’s hard for me to say goodbye, but I’m looking forward to the new tasks that await me.”