It was a comment that cost him his job, but it was also a moment of unguarded honesty that reveals how the Germany military establishment really sees the potential for conflict with Russia.
Speaking to a think tank in New Delhi on Friday, German naval commander Kay-Achim Schönbach described fears of a Russian invasion of the Ukraine as “nonsense”, saying that what Vladimir Putin really wants is “respect”.
“If I was asked, [I’d say] it is easy to give him the respect he demands and probably also deserves,” Schönbach said.
In another choice quote, the most senior commander of the German fleet said that “the Crimean peninsula is gone, it’s never coming back. That’s a fact,” a point he seemed to be making as part of an appeal to end sanctions against Moscow.
The comments, which were recorded on video, caused outrage in Kiev, where the government immediately called in the German ambassador.
The Ukrainians are already frustrated at Berlin’s refusal to match its assurances of support with the har…
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