Listen to the news

Ukraine's ambassador to Germany Andrei Melnik sharply criticizes former Chancellor Angela Merkel

Angela Merkel - German politician, Chancellor of Germany.

Born on July 17, 1954 in Hamburg.

The family is for the fact that she has justified her policy towards Russia, pursued during her 16-year rule, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.

Everything on the topic:

The Russian invasion of Ukraine 5900

Unfortunately, there was not even a hint of self-criticism in her first interview since the change of power six months ago, Melnik told the DPA today.

"The former chancellor's comments on the infallibility of her course towards Russia and her overly lenient attitude towards dictator Putin are worrying," he added.

Merkel defended her approach to Russia in a conversation with journalist Alexander Osang last night.

"Diplomacy is not a mistake just because it didn't work," she said.

"So I don't see why I should say I was wrong and I won't apologize," she added.

Melnik asked how Russia had managed to start "Europe's bloodiest war since 1945" if Germany's policy toward Moscow in recent decades had been "so great".

He added that Putin had in fact been courted and that Berlin had always complied with the Kremlin boss.

The ambassador said Merkel's comments were "very unfortunate".

"Because without an honest and complete reassessment of Germany's policy towards Russia, it is not possible to draw the right conclusions about future relations with Moscow and to stop its aggression."

Merkel condemns invasion of Ukraine in first interview since stepping down as chancellor

Melnik said Ukrainians are convinced that Germany's position on Ukraine's NATO membership and prospects for EU membership, its refusal to supply weapons for years after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its "reckless advocacy" for the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline until the start of the war "encouraged Putin to attack Ukraine".

The Russian invasion of Ukraine

Angela Merkel