A Ukrainian Diplomat Urges German Companies to Reconsider Ties with Russia
In an interview with the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Germany, Oleksij Makejew, has accused German companies that continue to do business with Russia of “assisting in murder”. According to the diplomat, Russia’s strategy has been to destroy Ukraine for decades and he believes that economic actions can be a powerful tool in countering this goal.
Makejew expressed disappointment that some German companies remain active in Russia, paying taxes to the Russian government and claimed that the revenue is used to fund the production of new rockets, which are then fired at Ukraine. He emphasized that by doing business with Russia, German companies are inadvertently contributing to the conflict.
The ambassador also used the upcoming NATO summit in the Hague as an opportunity to stress the importance of a clear political signal in support of Ukraine’s membership in the alliance after the war. Makejew argued that Ukraine is currently playing a crucial role in deterring the main adversary of the NATO, Russia and therefore should be granted membership in the alliance.