Angela Merkel defends legacy: No regrets on Russia or migrants
Angela Merkel, at the premiere of her autobiography "Freedom," defended her policy towards Russia and migration. She emphasized that she did not want to sever ties with Putin, which, in her view, was not a mistake.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel presented her autobiography "Freedom" at the Deutsches Theater in Berlin. During the event, she expressed her hope that the book would be accessible to those who do not follow politics closely. "One cannot say that I left Germany in top shape at the end of my term, one truly cannot," she admitted, as quoted by "Tagesspiegel." She highlighted failures in climate protection, digitalization, and strengthening the Bundeswehr.
Angela Merkel: It was not a mistake
Merkel addressed her policy toward Russia. "I did not want to sever relations with Putin; it was not a mistake," she insisted. She recalled that sanctions were imposed on Russia and that maintaining contact with Moscow allowed for the import of cheap oil. "That was the situation at the time, and I cannot imagine that without Nord Stream, Putin would not have attacked Ukraine," she added. Regarding Ukraine, she emphasized that she was never against Kyiv, even in 2008 when she blocked the country’s path to NATO.
Merkel also defended her migration policy. She believes that solving the issue of illegal migration to Europe involves signing agreements with countries of origin. These countries would accept illegal migrants in exchange for the legal migration of skilled workers.
Source: Onet
