Berlin wants to give Kiev 150 million euros in aid. That’s not enough for the Ukrainian ambassador in Germany – he’s demanding billions in support.
Berlin – The Ambassador of Ukraine in Germany, Andriy Melnyk, is demanding an aid package worth billions from the federal government. At the same time, he sharply criticizes the traffic light coalition. “The fact that the traffic light government likes to stylize itself as the main savior of Ukraine is nothing more than a beautiful fairy tale,” Melnyk told the ARD magazine “Contrasts”.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised Ukraine aid in the hundreds of millions during his inaugural visit to Kiev earlier this week. According to Scholz, Germany wants to pay Ukraine 150 million euros in the foreseeable future, which is part of a 500 million euro credit line that was promised after the Russian invasion of the east of the country. However, Berlin continues to refuse to supply deadly weapons to Kiev.
Ukraine crisis: According to the ambassador, Germany’s financial commitments are “rather manageable”
According to Melnyk, Ukraine is grateful for the financial commitments of the federal government, but also criticized them as too low: “But if you consider how huge our losses are now because of the Russian war, which has been going on for eight years,” it is Olaf Scholz’s commitment “not quite symbolic – but rather manageable”.
Citing a study by the London-based Center for Economics and Business Research commissioned by the Ukrainian government, Contrasts reports that Kyiv lost $280 billion in economic output between 2014 and 2020. In 2014, Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula in southern Ukraine.
Ukraine crisis: MEP McAllister calls for “decisive response” from the West
According to Western sources, more than 100,000 Russian soldiers are currently stationed near the Ukrainian border. US President Joe Biden expects the Kremlin to give the order for the invasion in just a few days. In view of this threatening situation, it is becoming increasingly difficult for Ukraine to gain access to the international financial markets, said Ambassador Melnyk. In addition, interest rates for his country would rise. Melnyk is therefore demanding an aid package from the German government “to stabilize the Ukrainian economy, including political guarantees for investments”.
Meanwhile, MEP David McAllister called for an interview IPPEN.MEDIA “a united and determined response” by the West towards Russia. “Unity is the true strength of the West. This is also taken note of in the Kremlin,” said the former Prime Minister of Lower Saxony. “The EU will not react to intimidation and threats. In Europe, the rule of law applies. That is the opposite of the law of the strongest.” (sh)
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