German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has apologized for his comments about “caliber experts” in the ongoing debate surrounding aid to Ukraine. The Federal President’s Office reported that Steinmeier was “disappointed by his choice of words” and regretted any offense he may have caused.
In late April, Steinmeier defended Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s decision not to provide Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles and criticized the German debate on weapons systems. His remarks were met with fierce opposition from politicians across the political spectrum, with many accusing him of failing in his role as Federal President and appearing to support the SPD’s election campaign.
Despite the criticism, Steinmeier was defended by members of the SPD, who argued that his detractors were casting aspersions on the party’s peace, détente, and Eastern policy. However, social democratic historian and Eastern Europe expert Jan Claas Behrends criticized Steinmeier and other SPD members for what he described as a narcissistic insult resulting from being wrong about Russia policy and ridiculing experts.
The controversy surrounding Steinmeier’s comments reflects a broader disagreement within German politics about the country’s stance on Ukraine and its relationship with Russia. The debate highlights the challenges of navigating complex geopolitical issues and the importance of diplomatic language and conduct in public discourse.
