War in Ukraine: CDU leadership backs Merkel in Russia debate

War in Ukraine: CDU leadership backs Merkel in Russia debate

The head of government in Ukraine accuses ex-Chancellor Merkel of a failed Russia policy. Leading politicians of the CDU see no responsibility for the Russian attack on the part of the former party leader.

The CDU leadership has backed the former party leader in the discussion about former Chancellor Angela Merkel sharing responsibility for the Russian attack on Ukraine.

“It would be presumptuous to claim that Angela Merkel is partly to blame for the war in Ukraine. It is Putin’s war against Ukraine and that of his criminal clique in the Kremlin,” said CDU General Secretary Mario Czaja in an interview with the German Press Agency in Berlin. Merkel’s policy towards Russia during her 16-year term in office does not burden the new beginning of the party with Friedrich Merz at the helm after the disaster in the federal election.

The head of government in Ukraine, among others, had accused Merkel of a failed Russia policy against the background of the war atrocities in the Ukrainian city of Bucha. At a NATO summit in 2008, Merkel blocked Ukraine’s rapid admission to the defense alliance.

Misjudged Russia

“Leaders in politics have judged Russia differently in the past, which is wrong from today’s perspective,” said Czaja. With a view to the corresponding error admissions by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, he added: “That’s why I have great respect when incumbent politicians today assess their responsibility differently at the time and also take responsibility for it.” Merkel is in political retirement, she has taken a clear position against the Russian war and has spoken out in favor of measures against this war. “In doing so, she also made it clear what she stands for. That’s enough,” said Czaja.

“We are not only experiencing a turning point in time, but also a return of history,” said the Secretary General. Since reunification and the fall of the Iron Curtain, everyone assumed that Germany was surrounded by friends and partners. “No one would have expected then that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin would wage a war of aggression against all of Ukraine.” But it is also clear “that from today’s perspective one would certainly evaluate one or the other decision of the past differently”.

“Merkel’s chancellorship were good years”

When asked whether Merkel’s policy at the time was affecting the desired restart of the CDU leadership, Czaja said: “The 16 years of Chancellor Angela Merkel were good years for our country and the world. She has successfully resolved many conflicts and is held in high regard around the world.»

After repeated requests, Merkel had declared that she was not currently planning any further public statements on her Russia policy. Merkel’s previous written statements in this context “are still valid. Therefore, a further public statement by the former Chancellor is currently not planned, »said a spokeswoman for Merkel to the dpa in Berlin on request. Among other things, Merkel sharply condemned the Russian attack in a written statement on February 25 and supported the efforts of her SPD successor, Olaf Scholz, to stop Putin.

Source: Stern

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