The Berlin police have launched an investigation into suspected betrayal of secrets in connection with a possible visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“The background is yesterday’s media reporting on a possible visit by a president,” the agency said. “In the morning an article appeared in a Berlin daily newspaper in which a member of the Berlin police was allegedly quoted. The press report gives confidential details about a planned operation.”
Officially no information given
“I find it unbearable that – if you believe the article in the newspaper – a single employee is damaging the reputation of the Berlin police in such a shameful way nationally and internationally,” said police chief Barbara Slowik. Officially, the police “never gave any information that would have endangered the state visit”. “Only in response to inquiries about previous media reports was the press office of the Berlin police confirming the imminent deployment.”
Zelenskyj may come to Berlin in mid-May for the first time since the Russian attack on Ukraine. The Berlin police surprisingly announced on Wednesday that they would take all security precautions for such a visit on May 13th and 14th. The presentation of the Charlemagne Prize to Selenskyj in Aachen is planned for May 14, and Chancellor Olaf Scholz, among others, is expected to attend. It has not yet been confirmed that the President of Ukraine will be there in person.
Confirmation of travel plans upon request
The Berlin police confirmed the Ukrainian President’s travel plans when asked after the newspaper “B.Z.” reported about it. It’s an unusual move because Zelenskyy’s trips abroad are usually kept secret until the last minute for security reasons.
Neither the Chancellery nor the Ukrainian embassy confirmed Zelensky’s visit to Berlin on Wednesday. Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said only that the Chancellor’s appointments would be announced on Friday of the previous week. According to a report by “t-online” there is dissatisfaction in Kiev with the announcement of the travel plans. This process was “irresponsible” and could “call into question a possible visit by the Ukrainian president,” the news portal quoted pro-government circles as saying.
