Ex-ambassador to Germany Melnyk Cannot Promise He Will Keep "Mouth Shut" in the Future

Andrii Melnyk, who was Ukraine's ambassador to Germany for eight years and was remembered for his spicy criticism of German politicians, said that he probably "will not keep his mouth shut" even after leaving his position.

He said this in an interview with dpa ahead of his departure for Ukraine.

Andrii Melnyk said that he does not intend to " get in the way of his successor" in German affairs or "be a substitute ambassador," but "he cannot promise that I will keep his mouth shut."

"It's possible I will make one or two comments - even sharp ones - if I see that something is going wrong in Germany when it comes to supporting my homeland," he said.

Andrii Melnyk is famous for controversial comments during his eight-year tenure in Germany. His statements were sometimes very undiplomatic, promoting decisions in favour of Ukraine. For example, he said that Chancellor Olaf Scholz "offended leberswurst" (a German phraseology that means to pretend to be innocently offended. - Ed.). Although he later apologised for his words. Among the latter, Melnyk left a harsh tweet for Elon Musk who had suggested Ukraine make concessions to the Russian Federation.

The Ukrainian government has not yet made a final decision on Melnyk's future position. He is under discussion as deputy foreign minister. "Maybe next Tuesday I will see President Zelenskyy, and he will hopefully tell me where he sees me in his big team," Melnyk said.

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany hosted an exceptional farewell dinner for Melnyk.

Oleksii Makeev will become the next ambassador of Ukraine to Germany. He will arrive in Berlin next week. Melnyk leaves for Kyiv on October 15.