The war in Ukraine has become a "profound turning point" in the history of Europe after World War II, Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in her first public speech in six months, DW reported.
“I express solidarity with Ukraine, which was attacked and invaded by Russia, and support its right to self-defense,” Merkel said. She stressed that she supports all the efforts of the German government, as well as the European Union, the United States, NATO, the G7 and the UN, “aimed at stopping this barbaric aggressive war by Russia.”
According to the former chancellor, no one can predict how far-reaching the consequences will be. However, we can already say now that they will be significant, primarily for Ukrainians.
“We should never take peace and freedom for granted,” the former head of the German government is sure. The unity of the European Union is central to the current situation, she added. Angela Merkel called on every citizen of Germany to contribute to the unity of Europe.
The ex-head of the German government noted that in the future she would like to remain active at the European level: “I will disappoint those who would bet on the fact that I will leave.” Merkel did not name the specific post she plans to take, but made it clear that she managed to distance herself from her previous duties and does not miss routine events – for example, traditional meetings with the prime ministers of the federal lands.
