Ukraine's ambassador to Berlin called Germany's chancellor Olaf Scholz a 'sulky liver sausage' for hinting he won't visit Ukraine like other European leaders.

Mr Scholz suggested that he would not visit Kyiv after the German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier's offer to visit was rejected, he has also been accused by President Volodymyr Zelensky of having close ties to the Kremlin.

The relationship between Ukraine and Germany has been strained during Russia's invasion, as Mr Scholz has been criticised by Kyiv for weak sanctions against Putin and for a lack of military support.

Unlike much of the West, Germany has been comparatively restrained reasoning that under international law participating in certain actions could make it 'party' to the war on Russia.

'You can't do that,' Mr Scholz told ZDF, a German public broadcaster, on Monday.

'It can't work that when a country has provided so much military aid, so much financial aid — which is needed — when it's a question of the security guarantees that will be important to Ukraine in the future — you then say: But the president can't come.'

However Ukraine's envoy to Berlin, Andriy Melnyk, said: 'Acting like a sulky liver sausage doesn't sound very statesmanlike.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (pictured) has not visited Kyiv like many other European leaders, after his offer last month to meet with Zelensky was snubbed

Meanwhile Germany's conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz visited Kyiv for meetings with Ukrainian officials.

He has previously accused Scholz of weak leadership and of 'procrastination, dithering and timidity'.

Last week Germany announced it would deliver anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine for the first time, which signalled a major shift in policy.

The Chairman of the German Christian Democratic Party (CDU) Friedrich Merz was in Irpin today

Their announcement that they could quit Russian oil by late summer, further highlighted a show of support for Ukraine.

Mr Scholz denied claims their response to Russia's invasion was hesitant: 'I've always made quick decisions, in tandem with everyone else... but my line is that we act in a level-headed and prudent manner.'

He insisted Germany is 'firmly by the side' of Ukraine, with officials citing their recent actions such as the suspension of Nord Stream 2 and additional military support.

He also vowed that sanctions would not be lifted until Putin signs a peace deal with Ukraine.

This week the European Commission is expected to propose their sixth package of sanctions against Russia.

Which may include a possible embargo on buying Russian oil - which Germany said on Monday it was prepared to back.

Ambassadors from EU countries will discuss the proposed oil sanctions on Wednesday.

A so-called "trigger law" that would go into effect in 30 days if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade would make performing abortion a felony in Texas.

Driving the news: According to a draft opinion obtained by Politico — which Axios cannot independently verify — the U.S. Supreme Court intends to overturn the landmark 1973 case, reversing five decades of constitutional protection for abortion.

Flashback: A law passed by the Texas legislature last year would make exceptions only to save the life of a pregnant patient or if a pregnant person risks "substantial impairment of major bodily function," per the Austin-American Statesman.

• Under the law, doctors could face life in prison and fines up to $100,000 if they perform abortions.
• The law does not make exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest.

Zoom out: Texas is one of 13 states with laws that would ban abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned, and more would likely follow suit quickly, per Axios' Oriana Gonzalez.

• Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas — three of Texas' four border states — have similar laws.

By the numbers: A University of Texas poll in February found that 40% of Texans "strongly oppose" a law banning all abortions, including 20% of Republicans.

• Another 13% of respondents said they "somewhat oppose" the law.
• Only 20% of respondents — including 33% of Republicans — "strongly support" a total ban.

President Biden declared Tuesday that a woman's right to have an abortion is "fundamental" and called on voters to elect more pro-abortion rights officials at the federal level in November so that Democrats can pass legislation protecting abortion rights. He said in a written statement:

"I believe that a woman's right to choose is fundamental, Roe has been the law of the land for almost fifty years, and basic fairness and the stability of our law demand that it not be overturned.

"If the Court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nation's elected officials at all levels of government to protect a woman's right to choose. And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November. We do not know whether this draft is genuine, or whether it reflects the final decision of the Court."

Biden also noted that the White House counsel's office and the Gender Policy Council have been working on options to respond to potential outcomes in the Supreme Court case, work that began in the wake of bills restricting abortions in states like Texas.

The leaked opinion sent shockwaves through Washington, with Democrats condemning the forthcoming decision as an assault on women's rights. Some also revived a push to eliminate the legislative filibuster to pass abortion protections.

Roberts said in a statement:

"Court employees have an exemplary and important tradition of respecting the confidentiality of the judicial process and upholding the trust of the Court. This was a singular and egregious breach of that trust that is an affront to the Court and the community of public servants who work here."

The leak, which Senator Marsha Blackburn attributed to a "radical activist," essentially forced a legal dispute into the public arena. Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee, tweeted on Tuesday:

One clerk working for Justice Sonia Sotomayor has already been touted as the likely culprit, though this has not been proven. A 1992 ruling upholding Roe v. Wade - Planned Parenthood v. Casey - would also be overturned.

The court is not set to issue its opinion on Roe v. Wade until late June, when it will possibly rule on the Mississippi abortion case that put the 1973 precedent in its crosshairs.

According to CBS News, Chief Justice John Roberts will likely order an FBI investigation.

The Russian ruble rose to its strongest position against the US dollar in over two years on Tuesday, amid reports that Russia's dollar payments on two foreign bonds reached the creditors just before the deadline, averting a default.

The exchange rate reached 66.43 rubles per dollar at 13:06 GMT during Tuesday's foreign exchange trading, Bloomberg data showed, although the Russian currency lost some of its gains later in the day. The Moscow Exchange was closed on Tuesday due to an extended public holiday.

When trading in Moscow opened on Wednesday, the Russian currency was at just under 69 rubles per dollar at 09:12 GMT, the highest level since May 2020.

The ruble has been strong against the euro as well, touching 72.00 in morning trading in Moscow, its highest point since February 2020.

This comes as the EU proposed a sixth package of sanctions against Moscow, which includes the gradual phasing-out of Russian oil imports.

On Friday the Russian central bank cut its key interest rate to 14% in the latest attempt to boost lending in the sanction-hit economy.

The euro is currently hovering around a five-year low against the dollar with soaring inflation and energy uncertainty caused by the Ukraine-related sanctions against Russia.