Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor, "No Plans to Visit Ukraine"

"Since Refusing President's Visit, I Also Have No Plans"
Possibility of Opposition Christian Democratic Party Leader's Visit Emerges

Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that he currently has no plans to visit Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine.

According to CNN and others, Chancellor Scholz said in an interview with a German broadcaster on the 2nd (local time), "After Ukraine rejected the German President's proposal to visit Kyiv, I also have no plans for any visit."

He claimed that the cancellation of the President's visit has become an "obstacle" to his own trip to Ukraine. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier announced plans to visit Ukraine during his visit to Poland on the 12th of last month, but the actual visit did not materialize. Steinmeier, who served as Foreign Minister under Chancellor Angela Merkel, has long supported reconciliation between Russia and the West, and it was speculated that Ukraine rejected the visit due to his pro-Russian stance. Recently, President Steinmeier expressed regret over his past position.

In the interview, Chancellor Scholz also addressed criticisms that he has been lukewarm in providing weapons support to Ukraine. He said, "Because of the financial and military support from other countries, the Ukrainian military has been able to withstand a strong enemy so far," adding, "From the beginning, we have transported quite dangerous weapons and will continue to support them."

Meanwhile, reports also emerged that Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany's opposition Christian Democratic Union, will visit Kyiv this week.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.