Press
Olaf Scholz turns 66. Political celebrities congratulate him. Among them is Dmytro Kuleba. The Foreign Minister of Ukraine sends special greetings to the Chancellor.
Berlin – Happy Birthday, Olaf Scholz! The Chancellor celebrates his 66th birthday on June 14. However, the SPD politician does not have much to celebrate in political terms at the moment. Not least because his party recently achieved a poor result in the all-important European elections. The opposition, including Markus Söder, recently called on Scholz to resign.
Of course, there are still a few well-wishers on the special day. Bild has collected some prominent voices. Economics Minister Robert Habeck, for example, who himself came under criticism after the European elections, praised Scholz for his “political passion” and wished him “a lot of strength for the coming months and years”. CDU leader Friedrich Merz wishes him “above all good health, courage and strong leadership”.
Politicians congratulate Olaf Scholz on his birthday – Dobrindt with a dig, Kuleba with an anecdote
CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt sounds more critical, saying – with a wink, probably with a view to the Cum-Ex scandal – that “fortunately, one doesn’t have to remember one’s own birthday.” Nevertheless, he wishes “courage, confidence and God’s blessing.” Other political figures such as Annalena Baerbock, former SPD leader Franz Müntefering, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and NRW Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst join the ranks of those offering their congratulations.
Also congratulating via photo is Dmytro Kuleba. Ukrainian Foreign Minister, who recently fearedthat US aid might come too late for his country in the Ukraine war, but he not only sent simple greetings, but also provided a small anecdote that obviously impressed him deeply.
“Coffee at a critical moment”: Ukraine minister shares Scholz moment that stuck in his mind
Scholz has “proven that he is capable of taking big steps” in the critical times in terms of security policy in Europe. Germany is known to be one of Ukraine’s biggest supporters. Kuleba explains the steps further: “From sending Patriot systems to inviting a colleague for coffee at a critical moment.”
Kuleba is probably referring to a situation at the EU summit in Brussels in December 2023. At that time, Hungary’s veto of the EU accession negotiations was on the table. Scholz suggested that Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán leave the room for a coffee break so that the heads of state and government present could vote on the start of negotiations without him. Orbán followed the call, and the remaining 26 member states then approved the decision.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister raves about Scholz: “Has the power to change history”
Even then, Kuleba praised Scholz for his actions and the leadership he demonstrated. Now he goes one step further: both the Patriot mission and the coffee invitation, as different as the steps were, were “both of the utmost importance for Ukraine and the EU.”
Kuleba continues to rave in Bild: “The Chancellor has the power to change history and lead. I hope that he can celebrate his birthday many more times in a safe and prosperous Europe, for which he is working hard.”
Despite all the enthusiasm, peace in Ukraine is still a long way off. A peace conference is planned in Switzerland. But can it really help? Only when Germany changes course, says CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter at IPPEN.MEDIA. (hans)
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