FAZ journalist sparks controversy with question to Zelensky in Belgrade

Michael Martens Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung Volodymyr Zelensky Aleksandar Vučić diplomatic controversy

A press conference in Belgrade involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has sparked international controversy following a question from Michael Martens, a correspondent for the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ). Martens asked Zelensky, “What can we Europeans specifically do to help you kill more Russians? Of course, more Russian soldiers?”

While Martens clarified his question was an allusion to a Winston Churchill quote and referred to military experts' debates on creating personnel difficulties for the Russian army to force peace negotiations, the phrasing drew heavy criticism. The Russian Foreign Ministry, via spokesperson Maria Zakharova, characterized the event as having a “brown tint” and labeled the journalist a “hereditary Nazi,” citing his grandfather’s service in the Wehrmacht. The Russian Embassy in Belgrade further described the question as “flagrant incitement to violence against Russian citizens.”

FAZ issued a statement expressing regret over the “unfortunate phrasing” of the question but maintained that its editorial policy is not to promote the killing of Russian soldiers. The newspaper emphasized its support for Ukraine’s right to self-defense under international law and stated it would use legal means to respond to threats against its employees.

Entities

Aleksandar Vučić · Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung · Maria Zakharova · Michael Martens · Russian Embassy in Belgrade · Serbia · Ukraine · Volodymyr Zelensky · Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] FAZ stated its editorial policy is not to kill as many Russian soldiers as possible. www.nedeljnik.rs · vreme.com · www.jutarnji.hr · www.neopresse.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Professor Maksim Kamenjecki suggested Serbia is a key source of artillery calibers for Ukraine. n1info.hr
[● 5 SOURCES] Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova characterized the press conference as having a ‘brown tint’ due to the FAZ reporter. beta.rs · nova.rs · www.vijesti.me · www.nedeljnik.rs · zoom.mk
[○ 1 SOURCE] Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated in a podcast that he believes the world is at the beginning of a larger war. savremenapolitika.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The Russian Embassy in Belgrade described the journalist's question as flagrant incitement to violence against Russian citizens. beta.rs · nova.rs · www.vijesti.me
[● 5 SOURCES] The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) expressed regret over the phrasing of the question. www.nedeljnik.rs · vreme.com · www.jutarnji.hr · zoom.mk · www.neopresse.com
[● 9 SOURCES] Michael Martens asked President Zelensky how Europe could help Ukraine kill more Russians, later clarifying he meant Russian soldiers. www.infokuryr.cz · www.nedeljnik.rs · beta.rs · vreme.com · fakti.org · +3 more
[● 2 SOURCES] FAZ announced it will respond to threats against its employees with legal means. vreme.com · www.jutarnji.hr