Criticism of German Russia Policy – Selenskyj invites Merkel to Bukas
After several bodies were discovered in a Kyiv suburb, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky invited former German Chancellor Angela Merkel to visit. In Buka she can see “what the policy of giving concessions to Russia has done in 14 years”.
DUkraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has invited former Chancellor Angela Merkel to visit the city of Buka, which has been ravaged by severe atrocities. Zelensky said in a video message on Sunday evening that in a Kyiv suburb, Merkel – like former French President Nicolas Sarkozy – could anticipate his failed Russia policy in recent years.
In 2008, NATO states, including Germany, promised Ukraine membership, but then backed out from the idea for Russia. Merkel was chancellor from 2005 to 2021.
“I invite Ms. Merkel and Mr. Sarkozy to come to Buka and see what the policy of concessions to Russia has done over the 14 years,” Zelensky said. “You will see oppressed Ukrainians with your own eyes.”
Photos of Buscha, where several bodies of residents were found on the streets after the withdrawal of Russian troops, sparked international panic on Sunday. Ukraine blames the massacre on Russian soldiers, who until recently occupied the small town. Moscow denies this.
Ukraine’s foreign minister: the planned new EU sanctions are not enough
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba insisted on Sunday that he does not have high hopes for new EU sanctions against Russia. He already knows the current draft of the planned fifth package of punitive measures. Therefore, he can predict that they will not be enough, he said in a video message published on Twitter. In particular, an oil, gas and coal embargo against Russia, the exclusion of all Russian banks from the bank communication network SWIFT and the closure of all ports to Russian ships and goods are now necessary. This demand is also aimed at the economic powers of the G7.
Earlier that evening, Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced new sanctions against Russia, which had invaded neighboring Ukraine five weeks earlier. “We will decide on further measures in the circle of allies over the next few days,” the SPD leader announced without giving any further details.
Kuleba also said that in view of the atrocities committed against the residents of the Ukrainian city of Buka, there can no longer be any excuse or hesitation about the delivery of weapons to their country. “We need weapons – now!” He said, especially aircraft, tanks and heavy anti-aircraft systems.
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