Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has hit back at criticism of decisions during her tenure, including close economic ties with Russia and opposition to Ukraine joining NATO in 2008, in an interview with the BBC.
Merkel emphasized that this election was dictated by the desire to maintain peace and protect Germany’s economic interests.
Merkel defended the decision to block Ukraine’s NATO membership, arguing that the move would have led to armed conflict much earlier. “It was clear that President Putin would not have stood by and allowed Ukraine to join NATO. At that time, Ukraine was not ready for such a development,” said the former chancellor.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the decision as a “gross understatement” that emboldened Russia. Merkel also acknowledged the failure of diplomatic negotiations with Moscow, which could not prevent a Russian invasion in 2022.
Germany, under the leadership of Angela Merkel, developed two gas pipelines with Russia
Germany, under the leadership of Angela Merkel, developed two major gas pipelines with Russia, a fact criticized by European allies and NATO. Ukrainian President Zelensky has called cheap natural gas a “geopolitical tool of the Kremlin.”
Merkel explained that the decisions were taken to protect Germany’s economic interests and maintain peaceful relations with Russia, but acknowledged that these policies were re-examined after the Russian invasion.
Critics, including officials in Poland, say dependence on Russian gas has helped finance the war in Ukraine. Currently, sanctions against Russian energy have forced Germany to seek alternative sources, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), at higher prices, which is severely affecting German industry.
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Merkel’s decisions to open Germany’s borders to more than a million refugees in 2015 remain central to her legacy. Although former US President Barack Obama praised her as a moral leader, the migration crisis fueled the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which is now the second largest political force in German polls.
On the economic front, Merkel is accused of favoring maintaining a balanced budget at the expense of infrastructure and digitization investments. The German economy, once a powerhouse of Europe, is now facing stagnation, and its reliance on Russia, China and the US for trade is increasingly under fire.
Asked about relations with Donald Trump, who is preparing for a new term in the White House, Merkel offered advice to European leaders: “It is important to know what your priorities are, to present them clearly and not to be afraid. That was my experience.”
In a tense global landscape with wars in Europe and the Middle East, Merkel defended her mandate by stressing that many of her decisions were made in accordance with the norms of the time. “When world leaders call me for advice, I am happy to answer them. But do I lack power? No, not at all,” she said.
Source: www.descopera.ro
