The head of the German navy resigns German Navy Chief Vice Admiral Kay-Achim Schoenbach on Saturday after his comments on Ukraine and Russia during his visit to India sparked controversy in German as Ukraine strongly protested his comments according to which Ukraine may never reclaim the Crimean Peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014 and Russia President Vladimir Putin sought and deserved respect. He said Germany and India needed Russia against China.
Speaking in India on Friday, the German navy chief said it was important for Russia to be on the same side against China as the communist country funds killers and criminals and violates the international order based on human rights. rules. He also suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin deserved respect.
His remarks during a seminar organized by the Indian Institute for Defense Studies and Analysis Manohar Parrikar (MP-IDSA) in New Delhi provoked the anger of Ukraine, which summoned the ambassador of Germany to complain.
The German navy chief’s comments also drew a strong reaction at home, with the German government distancing itself by saying the choice of words did not reflect the government’s official position.
On Saturday evening, Schoenbach had asked for his dismissal, saying he wanted to avoid further damage resulting from his thoughtless statements for the German Navy, the Ministry of Defense and the Federal Republic of Germany.
“I have asked Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht to relieve me of my duties with immediate effect,” Vice Admiral Schoenbach said in a statement according to Reuters news agency. “The minister accepted my request,” he added.
R Hari Kumar with German Navy chief Kay-Achim-Schonbach (R).
Vice Admiral Schoenbach also apologized for his comments, the news agency said.
“My thoughtless remarks in India…are straining my office more and more…I consider this step (the resignation) necessary to prevent further damage to the German navy, to the German forces and, in particular, to the Federal Republic of Germany,” he was quoted as saying by the news agency.
In a statement, the German Navy said Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht had accepted Schoenbach’s resignation and appointed her deputy as acting naval chief.
The German government has insisted it is united with its NATO allies on the issue of Russia’s military threat against Ukraine, warning that Moscow will pay a high price if it takes military action against it. his neighbour.
But unlike many other NATO countries, Berlin says it will not supply Ukraine with lethal weapons, arguing it does not want to further inflame tensions.
