Selenskyj surprisingly lands in Frankfurt
The EU summit in Brussels is to decide on the possible opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine. In an urgent speech, President Zelensky appeals to the Union not to "deceive" the people of Europe. A few hours after the video broadcast, he arrives unexpectedly in Germany.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has unexpectedly traveled to Germany. Selenskyj was attending appointments in the Rhine-Main area, said a police spokesperson in Frankfurt am Main on request. Further details of the appointments are not known. The police directed Selenskyj from Frankfurt Airport in the direction of Wiesbaden. Traffic was temporarily blocked, but this was lifted again after a short time. The Ukrainian President was in Oslo, Norway, after a trip to Argentina and the USA, among other places.
In a video link at the EU summit, Zelensky had previously urged a swift decision to begin accession negotiations with his country. "It's not about what politicians need. It's about what the people need," said the Ukrainian president, according to the text of the speech published by an EU spokesperson. This concerns the people in the trenches, but also those who are saving lives in Ukraine or helping to ensure that children can learn despite the Russian war of aggression.
However, a positive decision is also important for EU citizens who believe that Europe should not fall back into the "old days of endless fruitless disputes between capitals". "The people of Europe will not understand if Putin's satisfied smile becomes the reward for the meeting in Brussels," said Selenskyj. "Don't deceive the people and their faith in Europe." Today is a special day. "And this day will go down in history, whether it is good or bad for us."
"Nobody wants Europe to be seen as untrustworthy"
The two-day meeting in Brussels will focus on the European Commission's proposal to open EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. It is unclear whether any far-reaching decisions can be made at the summit. This is due in particular to blockade threats by the Hungarian head of government Viktor Orban. In recent weeks, Orban has repeatedly emphasized that Ukraine has not yet fulfilled all reform requirements.
Supporters of a positive decision, on the other hand, point out that the start of EU accession negotiations would primarily be a symbolic step, as the talks are likely to take many years and Ukraine's accession before the end of the Russian war of aggression is considered impossible.
Selensky emphasized that Ukraine had passed the most important laws. There is a clear timetable from the EU. Europe must not fall into indecision, he warned. "Nobody wants Europe to be seen as untrustworthy. Or as incapable of making decisions that it has prepared itself."
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Volodymyr Selensky's unexpected visit to Germany came shortly after his plea to the EU during a video link at the Brussels summit to not deceive the people of Europe in regards to opening accession negotiations with Ukraine. The Ukrainian President was previously in Frankfurt, attending appointments in the Rhine-Main area, as confirmed by a police spokesperson in Frankfurt am Main. Meanwhile, the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has expressed concerns about Ukraine's reform requirements, potentially blocking any far-reaching decisions at the summit. Fraport, the operator of Frankfurt Airport, could potentially have been involved in Selensky's travel, given its role in handling international air traffic.
Source: www.ntv.de
