Merkel gave her first interview since her resignation/Deutscher Bundestag
Angela Merkel says she doesn't feel guilty about Russia attacking Ukraine. The ex-Chancellor of Germany stressed that she does not plan to apologize.
Merkel said that the occupation of Crimea was a deep blow to her. The ex-chancellor admits that she supposedly understood even then that Vladimir Putin is not the one who wants good.
Merkel justifies relations with Russia by “neighborhood”. Now the ex-chancellor recommends that the EU countries unite and stick together.
Merkel called the full-scale war a big mistake for Russia. The ex-chancellor noted that there are no excuses for how the occupying country cruelly ignores international law. Russia violates everything that allows European countries to live in peace.
At the same time, Merkel does not see her guilt that Russia invaded Ukraine.
I don't blame myself. It was not possible to create a security architecture that could prevent this, the ex-chancellor said.
She also does not consider the Minsk agreements a mistake. According to Merkel, the situation would be even worse without them, and “diplomacy, even if it fails, is not wrong.”
Merkel on Ukraine and NATO
- Ex-Chancellor also explained why she blocked Ukraine's NATO membership action plan in 2008.
- According to Merkel, then “Ukraine was then a different country, it was strongly divided in the field of domestic politics.” At the same time, President Volodymyr Zelensky boldly eradicates corruption.
- Merkel also drew attention to the courage with which President Zelensky fights for Ukraine.
Zelensky recalled 2008 after tragedy in Bucha
When the Ukrainian defenders liberated the Kyiv region, the whole world saw the atrocities of the Russian invaders. On April 3, Zelensky published in a telegram a photo of the bodies of Ukrainians tortured by Russians.
Bucharest, NATO summit declaration. April 3, 14 years ago. There was a chance to prevent. So that Russia does not come. Bucha, Kyiv region. Now. Russia has come,” the president wrote.
During the traditional evening address to the Ukrainians, the president noted that Ukraine does not blame the leaders of European countries or their states for this tragedy. However, Zelensky invited Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy to come to Bucha and see with their own eyes “what the policy of concessions to Russia has led to over 14 years.”
Zelensky added that Ukraine does not blame the West, but at the same time has the right talk about indecision.
The very next day, Merkel's spokeswoman relayed her response. The ex-chancellor said that she considers her decision not to admit Ukraine to NATO in 2008 correct.
Mikhail Podoliak, an adviser to the head of the President's Office, noted that Merkel's response says: “Western elites still remain in dangerous illusions” .
