In his first public address six months later, the former federal chancellor denies the war of aggression against Ukraine and says he supports the current German and Western government’s actions regarding Moscow. Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel broke her silence yesterday, describing Russia’s attack on Ukraine as a “clear violation” of international law and a “deep break” in post-WWII European history.
In her first public speech in six months, Merkel expressed her solidarity with Ukraine, which hesitates to speak publicly, saying that the country is “attacked and occupied by Russia” and “supports the right to self-defense”. “.
Support to the current government
Merkel said she supports the efforts undertaken by the current German government led by Olaf Scholz, as well as the role of the European Union, the United States and its NATO allies, the G7 and the UN “to ensure this barbaric war”. Russian aggression”.
Merkel’s remarks were made in front of 200 guests at the farewell ceremony in Berlin for union leader Reiner Hoffmann, who recently resigned from the presidency of the influential German Trade Union Confederation (DGB).
Merkel added that the consequences of the war would be “far-reaching”, especially for the people of Ukraine, as well as for the continent.
Solidarity is a “ray of hope”
In addition, he highlighted the human rights violations committed against civilians on the territory of Ukraine. “Bucha is representative of that horror,” he said.
In cities such as Bucha and Irpin, atrocities committed after the withdrawal of Russian troops appeared. Photos of murdered citizens and news of rape shocked the world. The International Criminal Court (ICC), headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, sent investigators to Ukraine to investigate alleged war crimes.
Finally, Merkel said there was “a small glimmer of hope” in this “endless sorrow”, given the enormous support that many neighboring countries, such as Poland and Moldova, have shown to Ukrainians. “We must never underestimate peace and freedom,” said the former chancellor.
Next week, on June 7, Merkel will deliver a new political speech, which she will attend a roundtable in Berlin. On this occasion, the former chancellor is expected to express himself in more detail about Russia and Germany’s relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and to address possible judicial errors during his years as head of government.
their own mistakes
Merkel has so far not commented on her own mistakes. Other top former politicians, such as current German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who has been Merkel’s foreign minister for years, have publicly acknowledged their responsibilities in Germany’s policy towards Moscow. “I was wrong,” Steinmeier said publicly.
Former foreign minister, social democrat Sigmar Gabriel also acknowledged the flaws in Germany’s policy of reconciliation with Russia in the past administration.
Merkel has been repeatedly criticized by the United States and others for supporting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, designed to deliver Russian gas directly to Germany. Merkel’s successor, Olaf Scholz, shelved the project after the Russian invasion.
He also stressed the need to continue talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin even after the conflict that led to the annexation of Crimea and Western sanctions in eastern Ukraine.
While Merkel made a brief statement shortly after the invasion of Russia in February, saying that there was no justification for her blatant violation of international law, it has come as no surprise that she has remained silent since then.
Faced with criticism that Germany has done little to help Ukraine, Scholz said on Wednesday that Germany would supply the country with an Iris-T air defense system.
On Wednesday night, the parliamentary budget committee paved the way for a planned €100 billion boost for the German Armed Forces to receive Parliament’s approval on Friday.
source: Noticias
