Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany criticized Merkel/Getty images
Ambassador Ukraine Andriy Melnik sharply criticized ex-Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel. The reason for the criticism was her justification regarding the policy towards Russia after 16 years of rule.
Melnik noted that, unfortunately, in the first interview with Merkel after the change of government there was not even a “hint of self-criticism.” The German edition DER SPIEGEL writes about this.
The statements of the ex-chancellor about the infallibility of her course towards Russia and her too soft attitude towards dictator Putin are surprising, Melnik said in an interview with the German edition.
Merkel has defended her course towards Russia against harsh criticism in recent months in a conversation with a journalist.
“Well, I don't see the need to say it was wrong, so I won't apologize,” Merkel said.
Ukrainian Ambassador Melnyk retorted, noting that how then could it be that Russia was able to start “a bloody war in Europe since 1945” when Germany's policy towards Russia “has been so steep” in the last few decades. Merkel's current statements are “very regrettable,” the ambassador said.
For without an honest, comprehensive review of Germany's policy towards Russia, it is absolutely impossible to draw the right conclusions about future relations with Moscow and stop its aggression, – said Melnyk.
Merkel on Ukraine and NATO
The ex-chancellor told why she blocked Ukraine's NATO membership action plan in 2008.
According to Merkel, then “Ukraine was then a different country, was strongly divided in the field of domestic politics.” At the same time, President Volodymyr Zelensky is boldly rooting out corruption.
Why ex-Chancellor Merkel is criticized
Angela Merkel was Chancellor of Germany for 16 years. She is fluent in Russian because she grew up in former communist East Germany. Throughout Merkel's mandate, the country has increased its dependence on Russian oil and gas.
Merkel has received criticism from the United States and other states for supporting the new Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, designed to bring Russian gas directly to Germany. The new chancellor, Olaf Scholz, closed this project before it was launched.
The former chancellor also stated the need to continue communication with President Vladimir Putin even after Russia annexed Crimea and started a war in eastern Ukraine.
< p>At the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Merkel made a brief statement that there was no justification for outright violation of international law and that she was following developments with “great concern and sympathy”. But her silence has since caused discontent.
Belated “support” for Ukraine from the ex-chancellor
After criticism of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel because of her policy towards Moscow, after months silence yet expressed solidarity with Ukraine in the war unleashed by Russia.
On June 1, during the farewell ceremony for the president of the DGB trade union, Angela Merkel said that she would not give advice from outside, but she supported the government's efforts “to find end of this barbaric war.” She added that her solidarity with Ukraine.
