The head of the German navy resigns after statements on Crimea / Article

While Russia continues to gather forces with Ukraine, Berlin is in a diplomatic embarrassment after statements by German Commander Admiral Kaja Ahim Schönbach about Crimea, Ukraine and Russia.

The commander of the German navy, Vice Admiral Kay Ahim Schönbach, said: “Is Russia really interested in the integration of a small strip of Ukrainian land into their country? No. This is nonsense. I think Putin is probably putting pressure on him because he can. and he knows that it is dividing the European Union, but what he really wants is dignity, he wants dignity, and, my God, it doesn’t cost much to honor someone. I would say that it is easy for him to show the respect he really demands and perhaps deserves. “

The German Ministry of Defense, headed by Christine Lambreque, distanced herself from the Vice Admiral’s statements, stating that

“their content and choice of words are in no way in line with the Ministry’s position”.

Schönbach himself later resigned, stating “in order to prevent further damage to the German navy and, above all, to the Federal Republic of Germany”.

The German ambassador to Kiev has been summoned to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, who has called the statements categorically unacceptable, while expressing disappointment at the German government’s negative stance on the supply of defense weapons to Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister said that banning the supply of arms to Ukraine, Germany encourages Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Meanwhile, Britain began supplying anti-tank weapons to Ukraine this week; London warned today that the risk of a Russian invasion of Ukraine was serious.

Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister Dominik Rab said: “This is a very significant risk. And we need to be clear, the world needs to follow everything that is happening and make it clear to President Putin that Russia will not be left behind, that the price will be high. “The sanctions on Ukrainians, as well as on economic prices, are expected to show. And they are more effective if the international community speaks with one voice.”

At the same time, the British government on Saturday accused Russia of trying to replace the Ukrainian government with a pro-Caucasian administration. The British Foreign Office saidthat the former candidate for the Ukrainian parliament Yevheni Murayev is considered a potential candidate in the Kremlin. He leads a small pro-Krish Nashi party that is not represented in parliament. London has evidence that several former Ukrainian politicians are in contact with Russian special services. The Kremlin has rejected this information.

CONTEXT:

In February 2014, after protests was overthrown pro-Russian President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych. Russia used political instability to its advantage annexed Ukrainian-owned Crimean peninsula. Russia also supported armed separatist unitsin the Donbass region fought against the Ukrainian army.

In September 2014, the “Minsk Agreement” on the ceasefire was signed, in February 2015 in Minsk signed a new peace plan.

However, there are fewer clashes between the Ukrainian army and Russian-backed separatists still going on. More than 14,000 people have been killed since the conflict began, including more than 3,000 civilians.

The international community still considers Crimea to be part of Ukraine nor has it recognized the separatist “people’s republics” of Donetsk and Luhansk.

Ukraine wants as soon as possible to become a member of the European Union and NATO, but Russia strongly opposes Ukraine’s accession to NATO.

Russia has recently drawn around 100,000 troops off the Ukrainian border, indicating possible preparations for an attack. The US and the European Union warn of an attack on Ukraine will have serious consequences, severe sanctions will be imposed on Russia.

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