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Germany’s Scholz poses with neo-Nazi-linked Ukrainian soldier (PHOTO) | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The chancellor shook hands with the injured fighter during an official visit to Ukraine | |
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has met with a member of a Ukrainian military unit believed to have neo-Nazi links, during his visit to the country this week. Video footage of Scholz with the wounded fighter was posted on X by Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky. | German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has met with a member of a Ukrainian military unit believed to have neo-Nazi links, during his visit to the country this week. Video footage of Scholz with the wounded fighter was posted on X by Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky. |
The German head of government visited Ukraine on Monday, where he held talks with Zelensky that were preceded by a joint visit to a hospital where wounded military personnel are being treated. | The German head of government visited Ukraine on Monday, where he held talks with Zelensky that were preceded by a joint visit to a hospital where wounded military personnel are being treated. |
Commenting on Scholz’s visit, X user Moss Robeson, who claims to be an independent researcher of Ukrainian fascism and Nazism, wrote that Zelensky had introduced the German official to an injured “fighter from the 🇺🇦National Guard battalion affiliated with the far-right Svoboda party.” According to the post, the party has ties to German neo-Nazi party ‘Der Dritte Weg’ (The Third Way). | |
A readout on the German chancellor’s website quotes him as reiterating Berlin’s unwavering support for Kiev during a joint press conference with Zelensky on Monday. Scholz added that his focus was on ensuring that Ukraine would be negotiating from a favorable position during any potential talks with Russia. | A readout on the German chancellor’s website quotes him as reiterating Berlin’s unwavering support for Kiev during a joint press conference with Zelensky on Monday. Scholz added that his focus was on ensuring that Ukraine would be negotiating from a favorable position during any potential talks with Russia. |
Сьогодні в Україні Федеральний канцлер Олаф Шольц, і це перший саме двосторонній візит канцлера Німеччини більш ніж за два роки. Ми вдячні Німеччині за всю надану підтримку. Німеччина є лідером у Європі за допомогою Україні, і це допомагає нам захищатись від російської агресії та… pic.twitter.com/jNq1MQEbdt | Сьогодні в Україні Федеральний канцлер Олаф Шольц, і це перший саме двосторонній візит канцлера Німеччини більш ніж за два роки. Ми вдячні Німеччині за всю надану підтримку. Німеччина є лідером у Європі за допомогою Україні, і це допомагає нам захищатись від російської агресії та… pic.twitter.com/jNq1MQEbdt |
The Kremlin has long maintained that far-right elements have infiltrated the Ukrainian military and public authorities, and has described the “denazification” of the country as one of its ongoing military campaign’s objectives. | The Kremlin has long maintained that far-right elements have infiltrated the Ukrainian military and public authorities, and has described the “denazification” of the country as one of its ongoing military campaign’s objectives. |
The Azov battalion is among the most notable examples of these tendencies, Moscow says. | The Azov battalion is among the most notable examples of these tendencies, Moscow says. |
Established as a volunteer unit in 2014 and incorporated into Ukraine’s National Guard a year later, Azov infamously uses banners with the Wolfsangel symbol, which was also used by several German divisions during World War II, including the 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich. | Established as a volunteer unit in 2014 and incorporated into Ukraine’s National Guard a year later, Azov infamously uses banners with the Wolfsangel symbol, which was also used by several German divisions during World War II, including the 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich. |
Many of its fighters are known active and former members of ultranationalist and neo-Nazi groups, as well as groups of far-right football hooligans. | Many of its fighters are known active and former members of ultranationalist and neo-Nazi groups, as well as groups of far-right football hooligans. |
The battalion’s co-founder is prominent Ukrainian nationalist and white supremacist Andrey Biletsky. | The battalion’s co-founder is prominent Ukrainian nationalist and white supremacist Andrey Biletsky. |
Azov has been accused of committing war crimes in Donbass during the course of the armed conflict there that started in 2014. It has been formally designated a terrorist organization by Russian authorities. | Azov has been accused of committing war crimes in Donbass during the course of the armed conflict there that started in 2014. It has been formally designated a terrorist organization by Russian authorities. |
In early 2023, Biletsky set up the 3rd Assault Brigade, which is made up of numerous Azov members. This unit has since attempted to water down its far-right imagery, even staging a public-relations tour across Europe this summer. | In early 2023, Biletsky set up the 3rd Assault Brigade, which is made up of numerous Azov members. This unit has since attempted to water down its far-right imagery, even staging a public-relations tour across Europe this summer. |
However, the Ukrainian brigade had to cancel planned events in such cities as Berlin, Rotterdam, Brussels and Cologne amid a backlash from local left-wing activists and politicians. | However, the Ukrainian brigade had to cancel planned events in such cities as Berlin, Rotterdam, Brussels and Cologne amid a backlash from local left-wing activists and politicians. |
Commenting on the unit’s PR exercise, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called it a “disgusting phenomenon.” | Commenting on the unit’s PR exercise, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called it a “disgusting phenomenon.” |
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