German Taxpayers' Money Used to Pay for Ukraine – German Media

A major German foundation, German Konrad Adenauer Foundation, is reported to finance various controversial political projects in Ukraine as well as financially support a number of Ukrainian politicians, spending the money of unaware German taxpayers.

Vitali Klitschko, who is considered a political protégé of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, was honored in Cologne with the Adenauer Prize for his "unprecedented commitment to peace and democracy in Ukraine," Deutsche Wirtschafts Nachtichten reported.

However, Klitschko’s reward and subsequent entry in the Golden Book of the City of Cologne have been met with some controversy, the media source wrote, citing the Left Party politician Tanja Groβ.

"Mr. Klitschko has in no way contributed to the European unification. He collaborated with ultra-nationalists and fascists and has been playing down this fact until recently," she said.

A number of German politicians claim that Klitschko cooperated with the extreme right-wing party Svoboda during the Maidan protests. Moreover, it is also reported, that the Konrad Adenauer Foundation played a major role in the overthrow of Yanukovych’s government.

The Konrad Adenauer Foundation is largely financed by German taxpayers. The allocation of financial resources is decided by the German Bundestag, a significant part of which is said to have flown to Ukraine. What exactly happens to the German taxpayers' money in Ukraine is not clear. It is, however, known, that the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's claims to have been active in Ukraine since 1994, where it has accompanied more than 500 projects.

For instance, the organization helped Klitschko to establish his "Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform" (UDAR), providing specific "logistical support" and training, Deutsche Wirtschafts Nachrichten reported.