Ukraine convenes ambassador
German naval chief gives Crimea lost
01/22/2022, 6:35 p.m
Germany supports Ukraine tirelessly – at least verbally. The chief of the navy deviates from this line. The Vice-Admiral declares Crimea lost and puts himself in Putin’s shoes. After criticism from the Defense Ministry, Schönbach backtracked, but Kiev summoned the German ambassador.
The Ukrainian government has summoned the German ambassador in Kiev in the dispute over arms deliveries and because of controversial statements by the German navy chief. During the conversation with Ambassador Anka Feldhusen, Kiev made it clear that the Navy chief’s comments were absolutely unacceptable, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said. The ministry also expressed its “deep disappointment” at the federal government’s no to arms deliveries to Ukraine.
The inspector of the navy, Vice Admiral Kay-Achim Schönbach, commented on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine during a visit to India on Friday. He described the invasion of Russian troops in Ukraine feared by western states as “nonsense”. What Russian President Vladimir Putin really wants is “respect on an equal footing,” said the vice admiral. “It’s easy to give him the respect he wants – and probably deserves.”
Admiral withdraws statements
On Saturday, Schönbach distanced himself from his statements and explained on Twitter that they were “careless”. “There is nothing to interpret, that was a clear mistake.” A spokesman for the Ministry of Defense emphasized that Schönbach’s statements in no way correspond to the Ministry’s position. The Vice Admiral will have to explain himself to his superior, Inspector General Eberhard Zorn.
The German government’s rejection of arms deliveries to Ukraine is also causing tensions between Kiev and Berlin. In view of the massive Russian troop deployment on the Ukrainian border, the government in Kiev has long been appealing to the federal government to supply it with so-called defensive weapons and military equipment.
The German government, on the other hand, takes the position that deadly weapons must not be delivered to crisis areas. Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) reaffirmed this position on Saturday. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba then accused Berlin of “encouraging” Putin’s actions and “undermining” the West’s unity in the conflict.