Merkel Targets Russia Again After One Week: "Unforgivable"

Merkel Pursued Conciliatory Policy Toward Russia During 16 Years in Office
Met Putin 60 Times and Speaks Russian Fluently
Breaks Long Silence to Criticize Putin One After Another

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel strongly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine on the 7th (local time). This came a week after she broke her long silence earlier this month by calling it a "barbaric war."

According to Bloomberg on the 7th (local time), Chancellor Merkel pointed out the Ukraine war as a "big mistake" during a public interview event held to commemorate the publication of a collection of her speeches at the Berliner Ensemble theater located in downtown Berlin. She described it as "barbaric, a surprise attack that disregards international law, unforgivable," and added, "There is no excuse." This was the first time Merkel, who officially resigned from the chancellorship in December last year, participated in a public interview.

On the day, Merkel said, "Russia's invasion is a big mistake," and added, "For all the time since the collapse of the Soviet Union, European countries have failed to end the Cold War in relations with Russia." She also said, "We failed to create a security structure that could prevent war," and pointed out, "February 24, when Russia invaded Ukraine, is a personally painful turning point."

Regarding her policy toward President Putin and Russia during her tenure, she mentioned, "I naturally questioned myself whether I missed something, whether there was more I could have done to prevent such a huge tragedy, whether it could have been stopped, and I continue to question myself." While expressing regret over the outbreak of war, she emphasized, "I have no regrets." She stated, "I deeply regret that the results of efforts did not show, but I do not blame myself for not trying."

During her 16 years in office, former Chancellor Merkel pursued a conciliatory policy toward Russia. She paid special attention to the relationship, meeting President Putin more than 60 times. Having grown up in the East German communist bloc, she is also fluent in Russian. Her support for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline plan to import Russian natural gas into Germany drew criticism from the West. During Russia's forced annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014, she advocated sanctions but called for moderate solutions such as dialogue rather than a hardline response. In 2008, she took a stance against Ukraine's NATO membership.

Regarding this issue, she explained at the interview event, "At that time, Ukraine was not the Ukraine we know today," adding, "The entire country was unstable and devastated by corruption."

Due to her attitude and policies during her chancellorship, her past Russia policy began to be criticized after Russia invaded Ukraine, and former Chancellor Merkel remained silent without making significant remarks about the war. This silence was interpreted as condoning Russia's atrocities, leading to increased criticism. Then, earlier this month, at the retirement ceremony of Reiner Hoffmann, chairman of the German Trade Union Confederation, Merkel publicly condemned "Russia's invasion as a violation of international law and a serious rupture in European history," breaking her silence.

Meanwhile, regarding her recent status after retirement, she said she has been resting for six months and added, "Personally, I am doing well. I voluntarily stepped down, and it feels good." She also expressed support for Chancellor Olaf Scholz's crisis management and added that she "completely trusts" Germany's current political leadership.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.