German Navy chief resigns after controversial comments on Ukraine

Kay-Achim Schönbach called it nonsense that Russia could invade Ukraine and said that Vladimir Putin just wanted to be respected.

AP - Eugene Hoshiko

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

Europe and the United States are trying to show their common front against Russia in the current crisis around a possible aggression by Moscow against Ukraine.

The resignation on Saturday of the head of the German Navy, who showed understanding for the policy of the Russian president, further reinforces tensions between Berlin and Kiev.

The case has diplomatic consequences as Ukraine blames Germany for insufficient support.

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With our correspondent in Berlin,

Speaking to a think tank in India, the head of the German Navy made it clear that he was partly expressing his personal opinion: curious that such an experienced soldier, on a professional mission in the region and in uniform, such statements in front of a camera.

Kyiv summons German ambassador 

Kay-Achim Schönbach called it nonsense that Russia could invade Ukraine and said that Vladimir Putin just wanted to be respected.

The head of the German Navy also judged that the Crimea annexed by Russia was lost for Ukraine.

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Schönbach later apologized on Twitter but his resignation was only a matter of hours away.

His statements have diplomatic consequences.

Kiev summoned the German ambassador on the spot and deemed the comments of the head of the German Navy "

 ".

The Ukrainian ambassador to Germany considered that the international credibility and reliability of the FRG was in question.

Kiev had accused Berlin on Saturday of encouraging Putin after the German refusal to deliver weapons to Ukraine.

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• Germany

• Defense

• Ukraine

• Russia

• United States