German president criticizes Trump’s attitude to Zelenskyy

​​​​​​BERLIN/ISTANBUL

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier criticized US President Donald Trump on Saturday for arguing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a heated White House meeting.

He made a statement to the German News Agency (DPA) on his plane before he visited Uruguay, and made evaluations of discussion between Trump and Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday.

Stating that the White House scene shocked him to the core, Steinmeier said, “I would never have believed that one day we would have to protect Ukraine from the United States.”

Steinmeier criticized Trump and said, “Diplomacy fails when the interlocutors are humiliated in front of the whole world.”

Stating that Europeans will remain committed to freedom, democracy and justice, he said, “We must prevent Ukraine from being forced to accept submission. That is why our country urgently needs a strong government.”