German President Unexpectedly Cancels Ukraine Visit 'Due to Security Concerns'; Ukraine Outraged, Says Bild
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has canceled his planned visit to Kyiv on October 20, which had been arranged over several weeks. This was reported by the Bild newspaper.
According to the publication, Steinmeier's office justified the decision to withdraw from the trip by citing 'security concerns.' Ukrainian authorities are outraged by this move, the newspaper reports.
A scandal erupted in April when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky refused to host Steinmeier in Kyiv. It was noted that Zelensky viewed Steinmeier as unwelcome due to the German President's 'close ties' with Russia.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz regarded the actions of the Ukrainian authorities as an obstacle to his intended trip to Ukraine.