Former German Chancellor rejects accusations over her constant efforts to "understand Putin"
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has made it clear that she fundamentally rejects the derogatory use of the term "Putin-Versteher" (the one who understands Putin) to describe her.
Source: Merkel in an interview with the Berliner Zeitung, as reported by European Pravda
Details: She rejected criticism of her own decisions as chancellor regarding the war in Ukraine. Merkel said she had very few illusions about Putin.
"I recommend putting yourself in my shoes at that time. And I also recommend not to say immediately, when a different perspective emerges today, that you made the wrong decision then. I certainly don't accept that about my decision," she said.
When asked how she felt about the term "Putin-Versteher", which is used to describe people who discuss Putin's view on NATO's eastward expansion, Merkel replied: "Not very well".
"Understanding what Putin is doing by putting yourself in his shoes is not wrong," she said.
"There is no justification for his invasion of another country. But the discourse about Russia's interests should be allowed," Merkel said.
In her perception, Putin is very concerned about recognition – "especially from America". This way of thinking stems from the Cold War; for him, the relevant actors are not Germany or the EU, but the truly great power, the United States of America. "They were and are his point of reference," Merkel said.
Regarding the meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump in the Oval Office, Merkel said she found it very disturbing. "I would have preferred not to have seen this meeting, especially given that the whole of Russia, including President Putin, saw it," she said.
Background:
In a recent interview with Spiegel, Merkel said that Putin had no intention of attacking Ukraine at the beginning of his presidency and that his plan had evolved over the years, including in response to Western behaviour.
She also expressed her indignation at being made a scapegoat for the war in Ukraine.
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