Melnyk is gone and Makeiev has driven to Berlin by car: in a purple turtleneck sweater, he introduces himself in a video and reiterates his predecessor's demand for more weapons. In his own words, he wants to draw on Melnyk's expertise.
Ukraine has a new ambassador in Germany. The previous Ukrainian government commissioner for the sanctions against Russia, Oleksii Makeiev, has officially succeeded his predecessor Andriy Melnyk. Makeiev told "Bild" about taking office today: "The German people support Ukraine so strongly that I am sure that we will win the war together with Germany and all other European partners! The faster, the better." He and his embassy team would "contribute enormously to victory every day," he assured.
The 46-year-old introduced himself personally in a short video on Twitter: "Hello, Germany!". He thanked the German population for taking in refugees and the federal government for supporting his country, including through arms. "I have to be honest: we need more, we need a lot more," Makeiev continued.
His predecessor Andriy Melnyk, in turn, tweeted from his new home: "Finally Kyiv (Kyiv)! The bravest city in the world! I love you." Melnyk returned to Ukraine at the weekend. Makeiev said of "Bild" about him: "Andrij did a great job and I will always come back to his expertise. We made the transition seamless and made the change over the weekend."
Early Monday afternoon, Makeiev presented Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier with his letter of credentials and the letter of dismissal from his predecessor Melnyk at his official residence, Schloss Bellevue in Berlin. Makeiev was received in front of Bellevue Castle with a small military ceremony. He then signed the guest book in the official residence of the Federal President. "It is a great honor for me to represent my Ukraine in Germany," wrote Makeiev, who was accompanied by his wife Olena Makeieva, in the book.
Makeiev arrived in Berlin by car from Ukraine last Monday. Melnyk had previously returned to Ukraine after almost eight years as ambassador to Germany. Makeiev's predecessor had made a name for himself with an unusually harsh stance against the federal government for a diplomat. Like his predecessor, the new Ukrainian ambassador speaks excellent German. In 2014 - at the time of the Russian annexation of Crimea - Makeiev became political director and thus the most important advisor to the then Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin. In 2020 he became special envoy for sanctions against Russia.
