“Absolutely unexpected”: Putin is disappointed by Merkel because of statements about Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his disappointment with former Chancellor Angela Merkel’s recent comments on Ukraine.

Russia interpreted Merkel’s statements in an interview with “Zeit online” in such a way that the Minsk peace plan was only concluded to give Ukraine time to arm itself and prepare for a war with Russia.

“To be honest, it was totally unexpected for me. That disappoints. I frankly didn’t expect to hear anything like that from the former Chancellor,” Putin told journalists in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek on Friday.

Commitments of the Minsk Peace Plan have not been implemented

The Minsk peace plan for eastern Ukraine, which was under Russian influence, after the start of hostilities in 2014 provided for far-reaching obligations for the conflicting parties that were never implemented. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had declared that he would not implement the agreements reached through mediation by Germany and France.

And the 2014 Minsk agreement was an attempt to give Ukraine time. She also used this time to get stronger, as you can see today

Former Chancellor Angela Merkel in an interview with Zeit Online

“I have always assumed that the leadership of the FRG will behave honestly towards us,” Putin said. It was clear that Germany was on the side of Ukraine, supporting it.

“But it still seemed to me that the leadership of the FRG was always honestly trying to find a solution based on the principles that we agreed and that were achieved, among other things, within the framework of the Minsk process.”

In the interview published on Thursday, Merkel literally said: “And the 2014 Minsk Agreement was an attempt to give Ukraine time. She also used this time to get stronger, as you can see today.”

According to Merkel, Putin could easily have overrun Ukraine in early 2015. “And I very much doubt that the NATO countries could have done as much then as they do now to help Ukraine.” (dpa)

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Source: Tagesspiegel