Germany's top naval officer stepped down Saturday after making comments about Russia, including a call to show respect to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The German Defence Minister is welcomed by the vice-admiral of the naval base. The photo was taken by BERND WUST NECK/POOL.
A pool of images.
Vice admiral Kay-Achim Schoenbach apologized for his "rash" comments and said they were a mistake in a statement to multiple news outlets, and added that his position is "increasingly burdened by the ill-advised comments on security and military policy."
According to the statement, Christine Lambrecht was asked to relieve him of his duties immediately.
The German and Ukrainian governments were unhappy with the comments made by the man in the video.
He said that Putin deserved respect and that the peninsula would never come back, according to German broadcasters.
The speaker at the event in India said that Putin wanted respect. It's easy to give someone respect, even if it's low cost.
Chief critic.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry called on Germany to reject the comments. The Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, thanked Germany for its efforts to resolve the conflict. Kuleba said that Germany's current statements are disappointing and run counter to that support and effort. In response, a spokesman for Germany's Defense Ministry said that the remarks did not reflect Germany's position. Germany's foreign ambassador was summoned by the Ukrainians to protest the comments made by the German.
Tensions between Russia, Ukraine and NATO allies have increased as Russia has massed 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border, prompting fears of a potential invasion. Russia wants NATO to never admit Ukraine as a member, that NATO weapons never be deployed near the Russian border, and that NATO troops be pulled back from Central and Eastern Europe. The U.S. and NATO said that Russia should not have a say in which countries are allowed to join the alliance. The U.S. Secretary of State and the Russian Foreign Minister agreed on Friday that the U.S. would respond to Russia's demands in writing.
The German navy chief resigned over comments about Putin.
Germany distances itself from the navy chief's comments.
The US and Russia have a "clearer path" to diplomacy on Ukraine.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
