Posted on Jan 22, 2022
German navy chief under fire for Putin, Crimea comments | DW | 22.01.2022
1.19K
11
2
6
6
0
Germany faced a diplomatic incident on Saturday following comments made by Navy chief Kay-Achim Schönbach on Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Ukraine crisis.
During a visit to India, Schönbach gave a talk at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, where he said Putin "probably" deserved respect.
"What he really wants is respect," the vice admiral said, speaking in English in remarks that were posted on a video on YouTube.
"And, my God, giving someone respect is low cost, even no cost. ... It is easy to give him the respect he really demands — and probably also deserves," Schönbach said, calling Russia an old and important country.
Schönbach said Russia's actions in Ukraine needed to be addressed, but added that "the Crimea Peninsula is gone: It will never come back — this is a fact."
The remarks directly contradicted the official view held by the EU and the US. Washington and its allies say that Moscow's 2014 annexation of the peninsula from Ukraine was unacceptable and must be reversed.
During a visit to India, Schönbach gave a talk at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, where he said Putin "probably" deserved respect.
"What he really wants is respect," the vice admiral said, speaking in English in remarks that were posted on a video on YouTube.
"And, my God, giving someone respect is low cost, even no cost. ... It is easy to give him the respect he really demands — and probably also deserves," Schönbach said, calling Russia an old and important country.
Schönbach said Russia's actions in Ukraine needed to be addressed, but added that "the Crimea Peninsula is gone: It will never come back — this is a fact."
The remarks directly contradicted the official view held by the EU and the US. Washington and its allies say that Moscow's 2014 annexation of the peninsula from Ukraine was unacceptable and must be reversed.
German navy chief under fire for Putin, Crimea comments | DW | 22.01.2022
Posted from dw.com
Germany
Russia
Ukraine
Respect
Vladimir Putin
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 2
2
2
0
1
1
0
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel He'd be singing a different tune if it was Germany. Someone's going to be retiring come Next week.
..."On Saturday, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said it has summoned German Ambassador Anka Feldhusen to stress "the categorical unacceptability" of Schönbach's comments.
Schönbach apologizes on Twitter
The navy chief's comments come as Russia has gathered tens of thousands of troops on Ukraine's borders, raising fears that an invasion could be in the works. Russia has denied any planned aggression against Ukraine.
The German government made no official statement, although it distanced itself from Schönbach's comments on Saturday.
"The content and choice of words of the statements in no way correspond to the position of the Federal Ministry of Defense," a German Defense Ministry spokesman told public broadcaster ZDF.
Schönbach must now explain himself to his superior, Inspector General Eberhard Zorn, the ministry said. Additionally, Germany's ruling coalition will discuss the navy chief's statements on Monday, ZDF reported.
For his part, Schönbach issued an apology on his Twitter account. "There is no need to quibble: it was clearly a mistake," he tweeted.
"My defense policy remarks during a talk session at a think tank in India reflected my personal opinion in that moment. They in no way reflect the official position of the defense ministry," he wrote."...
..."On Saturday, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said it has summoned German Ambassador Anka Feldhusen to stress "the categorical unacceptability" of Schönbach's comments.
Schönbach apologizes on Twitter
The navy chief's comments come as Russia has gathered tens of thousands of troops on Ukraine's borders, raising fears that an invasion could be in the works. Russia has denied any planned aggression against Ukraine.
The German government made no official statement, although it distanced itself from Schönbach's comments on Saturday.
"The content and choice of words of the statements in no way correspond to the position of the Federal Ministry of Defense," a German Defense Ministry spokesman told public broadcaster ZDF.
Schönbach must now explain himself to his superior, Inspector General Eberhard Zorn, the ministry said. Additionally, Germany's ruling coalition will discuss the navy chief's statements on Monday, ZDF reported.
For his part, Schönbach issued an apology on his Twitter account. "There is no need to quibble: it was clearly a mistake," he tweeted.
"My defense policy remarks during a talk session at a think tank in India reflected my personal opinion in that moment. They in no way reflect the official position of the defense ministry," he wrote."...
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google