In her first speech in around six months, former Chancellor Angela Merkel described the Russian attack on Ukraine as a turning point.

"My solidarity is with Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia and in support of their right to self-defense," Merkel said in Berlin.

After months of public reticence, Merkel gave the eulogy in front of more than 200 guests when the long-time DGB boss Reiner Hoffmann said goodbye.

As off-duty Chancellor, she does not want to make any assessments from the sidelines.

But she could not give the speech she had promised a long time ago without discussing the war.

Russia's attack on Ukraine, this blatant breach of international law, marked too much "a profound turning point" in the history of Europe, she said.

Merkel omits her own Russia policy

Merkel emphasized that "I support all the efforts of the Federal Government and the European Union, the United States of America, our partners in the G7, NATO and the UN to stop this barbaric war of aggression by Russia".

She can guess the size and severity of this challenge quite well.

"Even the wars in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s showed us how fragile our peace order is," said Merkel.

Merkel did not go into her own policy as chancellor towards Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Her term of office lasted from 2005 to 2021. Putin did not mention her during her performance in the evening.

No one can seriously estimate how far-reaching the consequences of the war would be.

"But there is no question that they are far-reaching - first of all for Ukraine, for the Ukrainians who have to suffer so much from the attacks by Russia."

Many were injured and killed.

"Butscha is representative of this horror," said Merkel, referring to the shootings in the city west of Kyiv.

However, the former chancellor also made it clear that the effects are also being felt beyond Ukraine: Merkel also mentioned rising energy prices and the threat of famine in Africa.

Unity of the EU “essential for survival”

Merkel referred to the millions of people in Ukraine "who have had to flee head over heels from Russian attacks since the beginning of the war on February 24".

She said: "In this infinite sadness there is at least a small, but I think great ray of hope with which big hearts so many neighboring countries of Ukraine are giving refuge to displaced and fleeing people."

Merkel named Poland and Moldova as examples.

The unity of the European Union is now “essential for survival”.

"The Treaties of Rome were passed 65 years ago," said Merkel, referring to the founding documents of European integration.

"If we are honest with ourselves, we know that these 65 years are basically no more than the blink of an eye in history," said Merkel.

"We should never take peace and freedom for granted."

Everyone should "make their own contribution to the idea of ​​European unification".

At the same time, Merkel demonstrated letting go of former duties.

Somehow it's MPK again tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, she said.

A prime ministerial conference was scheduled for the following day.

Merkel: "I can get through the day without it."

Merkel wants to comment on current issues

Merkel will make another appearance next Tuesday - in Berlin she wants to talk to the "Spiegel" reporter Alexander Osang about current issues.

Merkel and Hoffmann, who led the DGB from 2014, had many points of contact in their respective careers - including at the cabinet meetings at Meseberg Castle.

Hoffmann was replaced in May by former SPD general secretary Yasmin Fahimi.

As a farewell, he announced that he wanted to continue to get involved at European level: "Anyone who should bet that I would be gone, I will disappoint."