Steinmeier’s Ukraine visit canceled out of security concerns, German newspaper says
Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (Photo:REUTERS/Benjamin Westhoff)
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier canceled his Oct. 20 visit to Kyiv due to security concerns, the German newspaper Bild reported on Oct. 19.
According to the report, the visit has been planned for several weeks, and its cancellation "caused irritation" in Kyiv. Bild quoted an unnamed Ukrainian government official, who said that many foreign diplomats and guests are usually eager to show their presence in Ukraine right now.
Steinmeier was reportedly advised to cancel the visit by German security services, the Foreign Ministry, and the Ministry of the Interior, although Berlin expects that the trip will still take place in the near future.
Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic visited Kyiv on Oct. 19.
Back in April, media reports suggested Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “uninvited” Steinmeier over his Russian ties. Zelenskyy and Steinmeier cleared the matter up in a phone call on May 5, and the Ukrainian leader invited Steinmeier to visit Kyiv.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis visited Ukraine on June 16.
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