Baerbock commented on a photo where she appears to be "running away" from Scholz.

Annalen Baerbock made this statement during an appearance on the ZDFheute channel on Friday, January 17.

Did Baerbock Avoid Scholz?

A photo released by German media shows Scholz reaching out to Baerbock, but she allegedly turns away from him. Some circulated the claim that the Foreign Minister did not want to be photographed with the Chancellor, explaining that Scholz is blocking a €3 billion aid package for Ukraine. Other media outlets reported that Scholz agreed to the package but under the condition of lifting the debt regime. However, according to journalists, this option did not sit well with Baerbock.

The Foreign Minister herself commented on the photo, stating that she was not running away from Scholz. Baerbock emphasized that the photo was misinterpreted, and she simply did not see the Chancellor.

"And from this (Photo. — Ed.) the conclusion is drawn that I am not extending my hand, although, as can be seen in the photo, I didn't even notice what was happening behind me, because, like everyone else, I don't have eyes in the back of my head," said the German Foreign Minister.

It is worth noting that the head of the German Ministry of Defense, Boris Pistorius, denied reports that Olaf Scholz opposed allocating €3 billion in military aid to Ukraine.

In February, Germany will hold early parliamentary elections. The Social Democratic Party and the far-right have already chosen their candidates. Olaf Scholz will also participate in the federal elections.