When German Chancellor Angela Merkel came to Ukraine the day before Independence Day, she

brought a promise that 20 of the most severely injured soldiers would go to

Germany for treatment at her government’s expense.

An elated President Petro Poroshenko announced the offer at a briefing on Aug. 23, the day of her visit, and said that Germany was “a friend in need” and “a friend indeed.” But as 20 Ukrainian soldiers flew off to foreign hospitals on Sept. 2, Ukrainians were left fuming because Germany did not fully meet its commitment.