FAZ regrets wording of Zelenskyy question about killing more Russian troops

FAZ correspondent Michael Martens posed the question at a news conference in Belgrade on Aug. 8. The newspaper called the wording ambiguous and stressed that it did not support killing as many Russian soldiers as possible.

FAZ’s editors said the question could have been misunderstood.

“The question was phrased ambiguously, however, which we regret. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung’s position is not that as many Russian soldiers as possible should be killed,” the newspaper said.

Martens posed the question during a news conference with Zelenskyy in Belgrade on Aug. 8.

FAZ said he was referring to discussions among military experts about how Ukraine could create manpower problems for the Russian military severe enough to pressure Moscow into peace negotiations.

After facing criticism, Martens wrote on X that his question was an allusion to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill during World War II.

The newspaper said Churchill had framed a decision about supporting Yugoslav resistance groups in military terms: “Who is killing the most Germans, and how can we help them kill even more?”

FAZ also reported that Martens received threats and insults after the news conference. The newspaper stressed that the right to ask questions is an integral part of press freedom and said it was prepared to pursue legal action when its employees are threatened.

At the same time, FAZ emphasized its support for Ukraine’s right to self-defense under international law and for ending Russia’s aggression against Ukraine as quickly as possible.

Zelenskyy arrived in Serbia on Aug. 7 for his first visit to the country during his presidency.