Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel answers questions from journalist and author Alexander Osang at the Berliner Ensemble in Berlin, Germany, on Tuesday (June 7th). (Fabian Sommer / dpa / AP)
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday that there was no excuse for Russia’s “brutal disregard” for international law in launching its invasion of Ukraine.
“The attack on Ukraine was a big mistake on the part of Russia and an objective violation of all the rules of international law and everything that allows us to live together in peace in Europe,” Merkel said in an interview with German journalist Alexander Osang. “If we go through the centuries and say which part of the territory belongs to whom, then we will only have a war, and this is absolutely unacceptable.”
Merkel said she was not accused of “not making enough effort” to prevent Russia’s actions during the years leading up to the February 24 invasion.
“It’s a sad thing I didn’t make it, but now I don’t blame myself for not trying,” she said. “I would have felt very bad if we had said, ‘Oh, you don’t need to talk to this man at all,'” she said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The fact that Russia and Europe are neighbors determines certain relations, Merkel said. “You can’t ignore each other. That won’t be possible in the future either.”
Ukraine and NATO: Merkel said she was convinced that any plan to make Ukraine a candidate for NATO membership during her rule would be tantamount to declaring war from Putin’s point of view.
Merkel also said that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky was “incredibly brave in his fight against corruption”, but “at the time, Ukraine was a country dominated by oligarchs”, which would have prevented it from joining NATO.
“And that’s why I was adamantly against it,” she explained.
Merkel also showed respect for Zelensky’s “will” to fight.
“In the beginning, Russia not only made a serious mistake about conquering Kyiv, but its response to the proposal that it could leave the country” I don’t need transportation, I need weapons “was also very clear and also really inspired my respect,” he said. Merkel.
“After all, Ukraine is a geopolitical hostage of the West. Putin’s hatred, Putin’s hostility is against the Western model. Putin’s hostility is against the Western democratic model.”
European unity: Merkel said she was very pleased that Germany had recently decided to buy armed drones from Israel. “It was a very difficult struggle to invest in military deterrence. That is the only language Putin understands, “she said.
“The annexation of Crimea was a deep cut,” Merkel said. “It was clear to me then that we were not dealing with someone who wished us well with our way of life. However, we cannot get rid of it. “
“It is very, very important now for the European Union to stick together.”
Add Comment