Angela Merkel: What did the former German Chancellor say about Putin and Trump in her interview with the BBC? – BBC News Arabic

Speaking to the BBC in the German capital, Berlin, Merkel strongly defended her time in charge of the country.

She said that she believes that the war in Ukraine would have started earlier, and probably would have been worse, if Kiev had started its steps towards NATO membership in 2008.

She said: “We would have seen a military conflict much earlier than that. It was absolutely clear to me that President (Vladimir of Russia) Putin would not stand by watching Ukraine join NATO. “

Merkel said: “Undoubtedly, Ukraine as a country was not ready at that time compared to its situation in February 2022.”

However, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, opposes this view, and describes Merkel’s decision to refuse to support his country’s agreement with NATO, along with French president at the time, Nicolas Sarkozy, as a “misjudgment” that encouraged Russia to move forward. .

In an exclusive interview described as rare since she left politics three years ago, Merkel expressed her concern about Putin’s continued threats to use nuclear weapons.

Putin and Merkel have known each other for twenty years.

The former German Chancellor says: “We must make every effort to prevent the use of nuclear weapons.”

She said: “Fortunately, China also spoke about this issue some time ago. We should not stand with fear for fear’s sake. Instead, we must admit that Russia is the biggest, and it represents, together with the United States, one of the two biggest nuclear powers in the world.”

“That prospect is terrifying,” she says.

Although she was very popular during most of her leadership, Merkel now finds herself defending the legacy of that time.

Merkel recently published her memoir, “Freedom,” at an interesting time.

He says they have made every effort to ensure continued cooperation with Russia through peaceful means.

Putin launched his full-scale attack on Ukraine just months after Merkel left office.

Putin’s move forced European countries to completely rethink energy policies, diplomatic relations with Russia, as well as immigration policies that became the norm under Merkel.

Merkel assumed the leadership of Europe’s largest economy, and former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi described her as the de facto leader of Europe, or in other words, “the President of the European Union.”

He said: “Do you remember when (former US Secretary of State) Henry Kissinger said: What’s the phone number in Europe? My answer to him was: It’s obviously Angela Merkel’s phone number. “

He said that while we were judging Merkel’s history, regarding Russia and others, we must remember the standards of that time.

“No one can attack Merkel because of her relationship with Russia,” Renzi said.

Under Merkel, Germany and its energy-hungry major industrial sectors had become dependent on Moscow, and Germany had built two gas pipelines directly connected to Russia.

Zelensky described this cheap gas as a geopolitical tool for the Kremlin.

Merkel tells the BBC that she had two reasons behind the establishment of the pipeline, firstly the commercial interests of Germany, and secondly to maintain peaceful relations with Russia.

This move sparked strong criticism among EU and NATO members in Eastern Europe.

Polish MP Radoslaw Vogel said German gas payments were filling Russia’s war coffers, money used to attack Ukraine.

Merkel insists that she tried to limit Russian attacks on Ukraine by using diplomacy and negotiation, and admits that she ultimately failed.

German industry has also been damaged by sanctions imposed on Russian power, and the country has been forced to find other sources of supply.

Merkel says a new era in Europe’s relations with Russia has “unfortunately” begun after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Now Merkel, 70 years old, finds herself defending her history in other areas as well, such as the migrant crisis.

The migration crisis in 2015, in which Merkel opened Germany’s doors to more than a million asylum seekers, is a defining moment in her leadership of the country.

Some criticized her, others praised her, and among those who praised her was former President Barack Obama, who described her as a courageous and moral leader.

While opponents blamed him for preparing the way for the rise of the far-right party for Germany, which was not necessary at the time.

However, the party is now in second place in German public opinion polls, ahead of general elections early next year.

The party raises a key political slogan that represents a strong anti-immigration message.

Merkel admits that the Alternative for Germany party has made great gains, but she has no regrets about her political decisions.

As for those who say her policies in 2015 helped fuel anti-immigration and far-right parties elsewhere too, including in the Netherlands, ‘ Poland and France, after their efforts to limit the share of immigrants in the countries of the European Union, Merkel says that she cannot be responsible for Europe as a whole.

She says stopping illegal immigration is the only way to fight the far right.

Merkel urges European leaders to invest more in African countries to improve living standards there, so that the number of people who want to leave their countries decreases.

But with Europe’s economies slowing and voters worried about the cost of living, European governments said they didn’t have much money to spare.

Merkel seems to have put her country and her economic interests first, when it came to buying Russian energy or during the eurozone crisis, when southern EU countries put their She was blamed for pushing for austerity measures aimed at forcing German banks and companies out of Germany.

But even in her native Germany, she is now accused of “managing” an ongoing crisis and failing to implement far-reaching, perhaps painful, reforms to her country’s future and to secure the future of the European Union.

Some are currently describing Germany as the “sick man of Europe.” After the country was considered an export power on the world stage, its economy is on the verge of collapse.

Voters complain that Merkel has failed to invest in roads, railways and the digital sector, to maintain a balanced budget.

Under Merkel, Germany was not only dependent on Russia for energy, but it was also dependent on China and the United States for trade, and such decisions did not stand the test of time.

This comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on imports when he returns to the White House next January.

Merkel suggests some ideas to worried European leaders to face Trump and his second term, especially after Trump’s first term sparked anger in Europe, especially Germany, because of decline the defense costs and the trade deficit, which are complaints that have not changed. in Europe.

What are Merkel’s suggestions for dealing with Trump?

“It is extremely important to set priorities, and to present them clearly and fearlessly, because Donald Trump is a very open person,” said the former German Chancellor.

She says: “(Trump) expresses himself very clearly, and if you do that, there is mutual respect. At least that was my experience.”

However, European leaders facing the United States, China and Russia are worried, perhaps more than during Merkel’s time.

Economies are slowing down, voters are worried, with traditional politics also suffering from pressure from the far right and the far left.

China and Russia on the world stage have become more optimistic, while the West has retreated.

As wars rage in the Middle East and Europe, it seems that Trump has no interest in strengthening European security.

Perhaps that is why Merkel says that these days, when world leaders she knows well call her for advice, she responds.

When asked if all this power and politics was necessary, her quick answer was: “No, not at all.”