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Putin and Merkel (recording from 2017)
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Michael Kappeler / dpa
The Ukrainian Ambassador Andriy Melnyk has made serious accusations against Angela Merkel (CDU) because of her Russia policy.
Melnyk told the Süddeutsche Zeitung that his country had “almost blindly trusted” the former chancellor.
When asked whether Germany was partly to blame for the war and whether Merkel could have prevented this war, the ambassador replies: "I think so."
"No one knew better than she how tense relations between Russia and Ukraine remained and that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin does not want an agreement but the destruction of my homeland," Melnyk said in an interview.
Nevertheless, the decision in favor of the controversial Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea pipeline and against arms deliveries to Ukraine was made in Berlin.
Melnyk asked Merkel to comment on her Russia policy.
"I think it would also be important for Germany that Ms. Merkel speak out." It's "not about assigning blame.
It's about understanding how it all went wrong.«
When Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was uninvited, Melnyk said: »There is no question that Mr Steinmeier can visit Ukraine in the future.
Believe me, it's not a question of whether his previous distancing from the most serious mistakes in Russia policy was felt to be sufficient.«
But you don't just need words, but above all courageous deeds to correct these fatal wrong decisions, said Melnyk.
“Therefore, the clearest sign of German solidarity with Ukraine would be an immediate embargo on Russian gas and oil.
At the moment it would be a priority for the Chancellor to visit Ukraine, because only he and the traffic light can make the necessary decisions about new weapons and further punitive measures against Moscow.«
as /AFP