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Angela Merkel with Russian President Vladimir Putin in August 2021
Photo: Evgeny Odinokov / dpa
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) still does not want to comment on her earlier Russia policy, despite calls from her own party.
When asked by the dpa news agency whether her attitude had changed after these statements and whether she was planning a public appearance or another statement, a spokeswoman for Merkel replied on Monday, according to the dpa, with the word no.
The spokeswoman also referred to an earlier statement that Merkel wanted to return from a stay in Italy this Monday.
In addition, no further information is given on private stays.
Schleswig-Holstein's Prime Minister Daniel Günther (CDU) had told the news portal "The Pioneer": "With the knowledge available today, there is hardly anyone who denies that mistakes were made and that one was too gullible." The debate about it is pressing downright up.
Union faction Vice Johann Wadephul (CDU) told the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung" that he hoped for further explanations from Merkel.
CDU General Secretary Mario Czaja, on the other hand, told the dpa that Merkel was in political retirement, that she had taken a clear stance against the Russian war and spoke out in favor of measures against this war.
»By doing so, she also made it clear what she stands for.
That is sufficient.« Immediately after the Russian invasion, Merkel supported the efforts of her successor in office, Olaf Scholz (SPD), and castigated the attack as a »blatant breach of international law«.
Selenskyj invited Merkel to visit Bucha
The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently increased the pressure on Merkel to speak again about her previous Russia policy.
After the atrocities apparently committed by Russian troops in the Kiev suburb of Bucha became known, Selenskyj invited Merkel and former French President Nicolas Sarkozy to the city.
There, both could get an idea of their failed Russia policy in recent years, Zelenskyj said in a video message.
"You will see the tortured Ukrainians with your own eyes."
Merkel recently stated that she would stand by her decisions in connection with the 2008 NATO summit.
At that time, the members of the defense alliance, to which Germany belongs, had given Ukraine the prospect of admission, but then backed down out of consideration for Russia.
Merkel had already informed dpa last Wednesday that she currently did not want to make any further public statements on her Russia policy.
fek/dpa