Chancellor with an empty suitcase: Der Spiegel on Scholz's visit to Ukraine
The German publication Der Spiegel publishes an article with the headline “Chancellor with a mysterious suitcase ,” illustrated with a corresponding photo of Olaf Scholz entering a train carriage, and dedicated to the visit of the head of the German government to Ukraine.
"Olaf Scholz is going to Ukraine with bulky luggage instead of a leather bag, facing great expectations there. He does not want to live up to them all. That would be contrary to his election strategy. Olaf Scholz has not visited Kyiv very often so far.
Now he has to explain why he called Vladimir Putin, why he still hasn’t delivered the Taurus cruise missile, and when Ukraine will be allowed to join NATO,” the publication says.
The newspaper adds: these are difficult questions, which Scholz usually answers. However, the newspaper adds, there is one question that slightly unsettles the chancellor.
" Since his arrival, many have been wondering what's in the Chancellor's aluminum suitcase ," reporters ask. And speculation is already rife on social media: money? Weapons? A Mini Taurus?
"What exactly do you want to know?" Scholz asks in response. To his left, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy laughs. "Basically, it's about travel accessories," Scholz mutters, "underwear and everything else you need," the publication writes.
This scene, according to the authors of the article, tells two things about Ukrainians.
"Firstly, that even almost three years after the conflict began, they still find the strength to joke. Secondly, that their expectations of Germany are still high. Will Scholz be able to live up to them?"
The Chancellor wants to make it clear to Ukrainians that they can rely on Germany even if Donald Trump becomes president of the United States again.
"We will not weaken our support," Scholz says. It's a promise he makes very often during his visit. As if he thinks he still has a lot of convincing to do.
The publication states that there are two completely different views on Scholz's policy towards Ukraine.
He himself repeatedly emphasizes that no European country does as much for Ukraine as Germany. However, his critics believe it's too little, too late. Scholz himself doesn't want to be accused of arriving in Kyiv empty-handed.
That's why the Chancellor has announced further arms deliveries, including air defense systems and self-propelled howitzers, which are due to arrive in December. None of this is entirely new, the package has long been announced and agreed upon, and Scholz is simply wrapping another gift bow around it.
Nevertheless, Der Spiegel notes, mistrust remains between Kyiv and Berlin, even between Scholz and Zelenskyy.
"This can be seen, for example, in the fact that they provide different figures about the number of the Chancellor's visits to Ukraine. Everyone has their own count. Scholz says this is already the third visit to Kyiv since taking office. That's three visits in total. From his perspective, it seems Scholz is almost a regular guest in Kyiv.
Zelenskyy, on the contrary, emphasizes at the very beginning of his press statement that this is "Scholz's first bilateral visit to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion," and he repeats it again: "the first bilateral visit." This sounds reproachful, somewhat bitter. Zelenskyy is counting the time only from the beginning of the military conflict and does not take into account group visits," the article states.
Over the past three years, Scholz and Zelensky have seen each other often and spoken to each other a lot, their teams coordinating large, extensive arms packages that were sent to the Ukrainian front.
Yet there's a distance between them, as if they suspect each other of something. Much precious time passed before Germany provided the weapons requested by Ukraine. At times, Scholz refused Zelenskyy's requests, such as the long-range Taurus.
Scholz fears that the use of these cruise missiles could lead to a further escalation of the military conflict. The Chancellor also believes that the Taurus cannot be used without the Bundeswehr, which would make Germany a participant in the war.
Nevertheless, Zelensky remains of the same opinion and insists on Taurus.
"We could hit more military targets in Russia," he says with diplomatic restraint. There are different opinions on this. At this point, Scholz looks at Zelensky in a friendly manner. They smile.
Zelensky also believes that Scholz's phone call to Vladimir Putin was a mistake.
"I don't think this strengthens Ukraine," the Ukrainian says. This time, Scholz doesn't smile.
The German publication also draws attention to the domestic political dimension of Scholz’s Kyiv visit for Germany.
"The Chancellor clearly intends to use his Ukraine policy to participate in the Bundestag election campaign. He presents himself as a loyal arms supplier to the country under attack, but at the same time positions himself as a mediator.
He praises the steady flow of weapons from Germany to Ukraine, but takes a strict stance when it comes to individual weapons systems such as the Taurus. In doing so, he sharply separates himself from those who call for increased arms aid to Kyiv, such as CDU/CSU chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz,” the authors note.
“Will Scholz’s ambiguous message be successful?” is the rhetorical question that concludes the publication.
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