German President cancels visit to Kyiv for security reasons.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Photo: Anews

On October 20, the Russian news agency TASS reported that the German newspaper Bild stated that German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier had canceled his planned trip to Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, on October 20, for security reasons.

According to the source, the visit had been in preparation for several weeks, but the German President's office had to cancel it amid "numerous security concerns."

The German newspaper reported that this move had met with displeasure and even anger from the authorities in Kyiv.

A spokesperson for the Kyiv authorities told Bild: "While the German federal president is canceling his visit, many diplomats and foreign guests want to be in the Ukrainian capital right now."

According to the newspaper, the Greek Foreign Minister visited Kyiv on October 19, and "a visit by a head of state" is expected to take place on October 20.

Bild also reported that the German Federal Foreign Office, the Interior Ministry, and security agencies had recommended that Steinmeier avoid visiting Kyiv. The decision to cancel the visit was made on October 18.

In mid-April, Bild reported that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky had refused to receive Steinmeier, who at the time wanted to visit Kyiv. The Kyiv authorities argued that the German president was being "too lenient" towards Russia at the time. This decision drew criticism from many political forces in Germany.