In a scathing criticism, a top lawmaker in Kyiv has called on former German Chancellor Angela Merkel to stop attempting to justify her decisions that emboldened Russian President Vladimir Putin and resulted in disastrous consequences for Ukraine. Oleksandr Merezhko, head of the foreign relations committee in the Ukrainian parliament, expressed his frustration with Merkel’s recent public appearances during the promotion of her new book, “Freedom.” Specifically, he took issue with her justification for halting Ukraine’s accession to NATO in 2008, the Minsk agreements that led to the freezing of Moscow’s war against Ukraine for eight years, and the controversial Nord Stream gas pipelines.
Merezhko argued that if Ukraine had been granted a NATO accession action plan (MAP) during the Bucharest summit in 2008, it could have prevented further Russian aggression against Ukraine. However, Merkel’s decision not to support this ultimately left Ukraine vulnerable to Putin’s ambitions. The Ukrainian lawmaker accused Merkel of prioritizing German economic interests over European security and described her policy towards Russia as one of appeasement.
“It is not only in the interest of Ukraine but also in our interest that Putin does not win this war,” Merkel stated during an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF. However, Merezhko questioned the sincerity of her words and emphasized that diplomatic solutions should always be considered alongside concrete actions. He pointed out that previous attempts at diplomacy under Merkel’s leadership through the Minsk Process resulted in full-scale aggression from Russia.
“What kind of ‘return to diplomacy’ can we even talk about when such ‘diplomacy’ has already occurred and led to full-scale aggression?” Merezhko asked rhetorically. He criticized Merkel for failing to acknowledge that she prioritized Russia’s interests over those of Ukraine and labeled her approach as a policy of appeasement. According to Merezhko, Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 because he believed there would be no significant backlash from world leaders, including Merkel.
Despite claims by Merkel that her decisions delayed Putin’s aggression, Merezhko argued that she had not learned from her mistakes. He accused her of neglecting the security concerns of Ukraine and instead focusing on maintaining economic ties with Russia. As tensions between Ukraine and Russia continue to escalate, it is clear that the fallout from Merkel’s policies still reverberates in the region.
The Ukrainian lawmaker’s criticism highlights the complex dynamics at play in European politics and the delicate balance between economic interests and regional security. Merkel’s tenure as German Chancellor was marked by her pragmatic approach to diplomacy, often prioritizing economic stability over more assertive actions against Russia. However, this approach has faced criticism for enabling Putin’s aggression and leaving vulnerable nations like Ukraine exposed to potential threats.
As Ukraine continues to navigate its relationship with Russia and seek support from its Western allies, it is crucial for leaders to reflect on past mistakes and adopt a more proactive stance towards ensuring regional stability. The consequences of appeasement can be dire, as seen in the case of Ukraine. It remains to be seen how future leaders will address these challenges and forge a path forward that prioritizes both economic prosperity and collective security.
Keywords: Angela Merkel, Ukraine, NATO accession action plan (MAP), Minsk agreements, Nord Stream gas pipelines
