Her legacy is hurt very badly by this war because it shows how the policies of Germany have exposed her country, even more than the others, to dependency from Russia for energy. They shut down (or are about to) the nuclear plants and were even building nord stream 2. Instead of planning ahead for energy independence Germany and Europe relied on Russia, now we are forced to do in the shortest time possible what we should have begun at least a decade ago, if not 2.
India keeps energy cheap, in some cases free to business. Germany will be having hard time to complete with India, China. Merkels shattered look gives it away that nothing good is in sight
I agree with everything you said. But to be fair, she doesn't have dictatorial powers in a democracy and there are different factions that influence decisions. I think that it was convenient to believe that Russia would not be beligerent as long as the 2 countries conducted trade. And I'm sure German industrialists exerted pressure to convince her of this.
I strongly disagree with her assessment "she has nothing to apologize for". Yes, she does. It was Germany's policy to bet heavily on energy from Russia. And to make a series of steps "to appease Putin". Both backfired badly. In long term, Germany's policy (especially) towards Russia, during her governance, was a catastrophe. Nothing short of that.
I agree. Obama said he couldn’t get censuses on Crimea. Ultimately Russia and Putin must pay they are responsible but our leadership must continue to be firm with Putin. Until he dies or leaves then perhaps dynamics with Russia can change. But the general population And their opinions i dunno anymore its almost like a radicalism that is occurring there.
@@lirenh Trump was 4 years. She was in office 16. And North Stream 1 was completed years before Trump even thought for presidency. And after Putin invaded Georgia. So she KNEW EXACTLY what he was. Or if she didn't, she was shortsighted and unwise.
@@Sunshine-un5ww The russians are being brainwashed. How long did it take to flush out Nazism from Germany following the war ? Genuine question & absolutely no insult intended.
As a yankville resident i don't think you even know what you are talking about or where Germany is on a map. When was the last time you read a book? google the word "book" if you don't know what it is.....heh
@@jordanchristie3617 I speak both English and German and have spent time in both countries, although I don't live in either. I agree completely with Evan Smith. Would you like to tell me how I know nothing about the world?
@@cheekiat8362 Don't stereotype Europe. 1. Spain is not dependent on Russian gas since the majority of its gas supplies are from Algeria and Morocco via the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline (MGE). 2. The UK is not dependent on Russian natural gas, making up less than 4% of the supply. 3. Poland and Bulgaria were planning for the expiration of supply contracts with Gazprom by the end of 2022. A new gas pipeline from Poland to Baltic countries i.e. Gas Interconnection Poland-Lithuania (GIPL). EU funded a new gas pipeline from Norway to Poland via Denmark i.e. Baltic Pipe Project. EU funded Croatia's new LNG terminals.
As a Norwegian im looking forward to my government getting richer pls build pipelines from our gas fields we spend some of the profits for NGO’s atleast
it's easy to make money when you ignore obligations (paying fair amount into NATO, for example) and buy cheap energy from the Russian Mafia that runs Russian. I fear for NATO. I think Germany/France would backsliode if NATO had to mobilise - just hope I'm wrong, I really do! For example Germany (even today) keeps claiming they are sending weapons to Ukraine, they are not! One example I can give is that Germany has sent M270 rocket lauchers but haven't sent the rockets. Germany has said it won't be sending the rockets until the winter.
@@Davao420 Because she has been blind for his crimes for over a decade and made him even more powerful. Putting business over values it's not always that great idea either.
@@Blanka1100 like what was said in the interview, her choices were based on consensus with other parties and actors. You're talking as if it was all her fault, European disunity also played a role in that, and that's not just on her.
Germany is a liberal democracy? Germany herself is a hostage of us Americans. Are all Germans this ignorant? We haven't left Germany since the end of World War 2. If my eyes and history don't deceive me, the Soviet Union left Germany in 1989 but we Americans are still there as occupiers. 🤔
"I don't blame myself for not having tried hard enough,". I don't think there has ever been a politician in the world that actually blames themselves for anything bad, unless it can get them more votes.
It is opportunistic and irresponsible to place the future of Germany and EU energy and economic security in the hands of the authoritarian expansionists Russia and China.
exactly. And totally materialistically oriented philosophy. Cut the russian gas, have 2 years with lower income economy, but do the right thing. prevail.
Sad... Preserving her pride is more important to her than ensuring Germany does everything it can to help Ukraine. She had the chance to look like a great leader; one who can admit their mistakes. History won't be kind to her.
@@TheRealShawnCrowe what a dumb and disrespectful comment, I hope you feel shame, especially for ending your idiotic sentence with a smiley face, as if any of this is somewhat funny.
Germany is a liberal democracy? Germany herself is a hostage of us Americans. Are all Germans this ignorant? We haven't left Germany since the end of World War 2. If my eyes and history don't deceive me, the Soviet Union left Germany in 1989 but we Americans are still there as occupiers. 🤔
@@dogtens1060 No it is not, but she had oportunity to think one step in advance to have less impact. Not suprised why Sholcz visited today my home country Lithuania as we already been saying about dependance from them...
No Putin isnt destroying EU, actually the current leadership of EU are doing a great job themselves... Im afraid the incompetence is breathtaking. This is what happens when you give power to the greens....
Lost all the little respect I had for her. Her career will be remembered for sucking up to dictators. And for what? A little money? Honestly the German people deserve so much better.
You go run for the chancellor of Germany. Try to stay there for 16 years, and try not to make any mistakes. She made huge mistakes, cutting off nuclear power for one. Still she did lots of great things for Germany and the EU
@@Juho221 she did huge mistakes? Dam rights she has!!! What good things has she actually done for Europe?? She has weakened and undermined the EU'S position to an extent that Russia, has the west by the un mentionables, over gas and oil. The only legacy that woman has left. Is impoverished families left with a choice of either eating or heating. They can not afford both. That woman has serious blood on her hands!!!
We should also mention Gerhard Schröder. He is the former chancellor of Germany, who approved Nordstream just to become a board member in the Nordstream Company, Rosneft and Gazprom. This is probably the most extreme case of lobbyism.
ALEX EPSTEIN 's "Fossil Future" on sale now June,2022. Biden gave the okay to the Putin pipeline then realised he had to reverse course because of Ukraine.
She is not the only one. The hole government og German as well as people who voted for them. We all know what Germany is capeble for... it looks like germans not changed after the WW2... and know Germany is a marionet for Russia. As well as France and Italy. All of you sitting in Putins pocket
If there was no dialogue in politics, then the world would have been destroyed 20 times over already. The west tried and tried again to find a diplomatic middle ground with Putin, but it was him who rejected the diplomacy.
@@Sunshine-un5ww the u.s. by now....prob has... the ability to change the trajectory of an asteroids.... but even we make mistakes with trajectories...
"I should have done more for Ukraine" "You could let them join NAtO-" "No, that would antagonize Russia." Typical political doublespeak. Germany prevented Ukraine from joining, making them vulnerable to Russian attack.
Taht was not the reason why she was against the Ukraine to join the NATO. Ukraine was a very politically unstable, undemocratic, very corrupt country. You just wouldn't allow such an unstable country to be member of the NATO. She posted all her valid arguments (at least back when the decision was to be made) in this interview but they're not shown in this video. And if all others country wanted and want the Ukraine to be in the NATO, why don't they just start engaging actively in the war as if the Ukraine was to be in the NATO?
She doesn't need to blame herself--we'll do it for her! 16 years of appeasement by Europe's largest economy is not an insignificant factor in the current state of things.
You mean 16 year of peace and Germany leading EU economy? Every countries have their own values and positions, great leaders manage their differences and find common ground. Having an all out war hurts everybody in Europe and only benefits US. How does inflation, increasing military spending (money would otherwise be used developing economy or welfare) benefit Germany? Although US is so happy selling weapons and expensive US energy to EU, meanwhile reviving NATO which takes away Europe’s ability to make their own strategical decision that serves European interests instead of US interests.
Not really, as there is a very strong anti-nuclear-power attitude in Germany. Germans should take a look at France as they are supplying Germany with low carbon electricity thanks to investing in nuclear energy. Instead many Germans look at Russia when they think about nuclear energy...
When she was in the office, I was often frustrated with the amount of trust she put into Russia, but to be fair to her and all politicians who wanted to include Russia, it is not their fault that Putin is such a deceptive and bloodthirsty dictator. The fault is entirely Putin’s. We should not forget that the war in Ukraine is only and entirely Russia’s fault and I hope and pray that it will finally be its undoing. Let us not re-direct the blame anywhere else than where it really lies: in Russian dictatorship and illusion of grandeur.
Where would Germany get it's gas and fuel it's growth economically? Answer that before you throw that stone. The US gets it's oil from Saudi Arabia who murders Yemenis. From Iran who they boycott. So what's your alternative? Corporations need gas regardless of what abuses those countries commit. You would be out of work and have no food if it weren't for the acquisition of that gas.
She kept the German military weak despite Russia invading Crimea and, she made Germany dependent on Russian petroleum products. There is blood on her hands
Responsible : ability to respond. Your ability has been used in blaming. You will do that until you see it is ineffective at changing what is. Blame is actually part of the grieving process. See you in surrender my friend
Why not NATO .. to appease Russia? No justification for Feb 24 attack … did she forget the 2014 attack on Crimea?? A change in last 7 years … YES because of the Orange Revolution.. not because of any help or encouragement from Germany. HER policies brought this on Ukraine and on EU/NATO today.
I disagree. Her approach was not only sound, it was the only approach. We can't fight Russia, because they have nuclear weapons. We can't fight any country that has nuclear weapons. So the only option was to try and work with them, make them partners. So that, yes, we depend on them, but they also depend on us. So that an actual war would be bad for both sides. People blame Europe for buying Russian gas and depending too much on it. You know who Russia would've sold their gas if they weren't selling it to Europe? China. These pipelines that are between Russia and Europe now would've been between Russia and China. And then we would've had 0 economical control over Russia. And even if you disagree with my point, you must then agree that it wasn't just she who lead to this conflict - we all did. Her politics toward Russia were everyone's politics toward Russia.
@@nevarran BS it was the only approach. Why didn’t she build redundancies? Like LNG terminals. Have both, so you cannot be blackmailed by either side. She rejected that, probably because Putin wouldn’t have liked it… ? She wanted cheap gas. Not variation. All the cheap gas she can get. And this after Putin invaded Georgia and Ukraine in 2014. She is 100% to blame!
She, like almost all politicians in Germany, was in a lot of aspects beholden to Germany’s big business interests. And German big business wanted (and still wants) to maintain and grow their profitable business interests in Russia. While her policies were favourable to job availability and incomes in Germany now the real price has to be paid. Also, she can deny it all she wants but she was at least partly responsible for making Germany an energy vassal state of Russia. She should have know better, much better!
As a leader she could have done more to warn the public about gas dependancy, but as a servent the german government was bound to keep buying it because the people wanted it. Big business does not have significant undue influence in a proper proportional voting system like Germany's. Everyone enjoyed the cheap fuel from Russia while imagining themselves to be far more "green" than they were.
But in lack of energy resources in your own country, and denying the nuclear plants categorically, you already left with no way to deny vassal status. Your choosing is between becoming Russian vassal or American vassal. Consequences are either supporting a war in Ukrain, or a war in Middle East, or Asia-Pacific.
She has no blame whatsoever. Yes they got cheap energy from Russia. So what? Any politician would have taken the cheapest option. She knows how to live with the neighbour. SHe comes from East Germany. She grew up under Communism. She speaks Russian. She is not to blame for anything. Germany was not expanding its border. Germany under her was not threatening Russia. They were living in peace with the neighbour. No blame. Regrettable situation but no apology necessary.
@@fishlivesmatter А чем является сегодня Россия???? Вы зачем с 2014 !!!!года вводили санкции??? Против моей страны ВЫ члены стран НАТО ввели 11000 !!!!! санкций!!!!! Вы кто такие что диктуете мне как мне жить в моей стране!!!!!!! Сколько можно уже терпеть вашу злобу ???!!! Сколько Россия пыталась с вами разговаривать дипломатией и разумом..... Хватит уже вас терпеть с вашим высокомерием и ложью о России!!!!! Вы уже весь мир перевернули .... Россия самая лучшая страна в мире!!! И ваши гей штучки нам не нужны!! Живите в своём болоте и дальше но нас не смейте трогать!!
In 2008, Burns, then the American ambassador to Moscow, wrote to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice: “Ukrainian entry into NATO is the brightest of all redlines for the Russian elite (not just Putin). In more than two and a half years of conversations with key Russian players, from knuckle-draggers in the dark recesses of the Kremlin to Putin’s sharpest liberal critics, I have yet to find anyone who views Ukraine in NATO as anything other than a direct challenge to Russian interests.” To all of those who say that Putin is mad. Most Russians agree with Putin on the issue of Ukraine. So it's not just Putin being a mad man.
@@AndreaPirlo888 closing the nuclear plant was the choice of German people after Japan nuclear plant accident. If she did not follow people's choice, she would step down ahead of schedule
Even to this day she can't take responsibility or see that she had a lot of reasons already back at her time, to act differently. Not she pretends that only this war is changing everything, when in fact Russia has shown this side earlier and Germany have chosen to close their eyes to their big weakness overall. It's shameful!
@@janestones323 nice try jane, but Pooo tin 💩💩💩 and his oligarch cronies care only about themselves and power. Russia will not recover from the shame of it for generations.
But the major question is why she persisted beyond any sense and against advice from around the world, with the foolish NordStream2 enterprise. And why she didn't left Germany so desperately reliant on Russian energy.
She hated Trump so much that she did exactly the opposite to Trumps concerns. When She ignored Trump, Trump then removed his troops to place them in Poland. She speaks of a defence architecture that is lacking .... this is a joke because most Nato nations on a whole did not spend their contractual % of GDP on military spending, relying heavily on the US and the UK ( and a few others ). All this interview was, was nothing more than a move to try save her legacy.
While the idea of tie both sides with economic reliance is at least understandable (it worked for democratic Western Europe), it didn't work for Putin and Russian Oligarchic system, it only for them to play and put around bit by bit now is only time to show them that they can't do it. And of course, lobbying between politicians too. Many have their stock in many of Russian energy company.
@@goldfingerhardcore Yes they did... the whole world was shouting at Germany "Don't do NordStream2". The USA even threatened to sanction Germany over it. *Even I*, not among the most hostile to Russia, have seen for years that this was strategically insane. There's no hindsight here - it was blindingly obvious.
She ruined it by not apologizing for the huge failure she made, rather defended it. She brought down not just Germany but the whole EU an Scholz just make it worse whit his neverending lies. Profit instead of moral. That was her legacy which stands.
How is it possible for a 12 minute commentary on Merkel’s Russia policy and legacy not once to mention the glaring strategic error of making German energy supplies dependent on Russia?
It wasn't an error. She simply had no other choice. now that all German products lose their competitive advantage, we will see who is the real one to blame. Leyen&co is the keyword😉
It is opportunistic and irresponsible to place the future of Germany and EU energy and economic security in the hands of the authoritarian expansionists Russia and China.
In a world with only rational actors, there is some truth to the logic that increasing trade with Russia would reduce the likelihood of both sides initiating a war... but that all falls apart when dealing with madmen like Putin. What was outright done wrong though, is that the signs weren't picked up and interpreted properly when Georgia and Crimea were invaded. The writing was on the wall in boldface.
I don't understand how signs could not be picked up properly when Putin bombed Chechnya's capital Grozny flat the 3rd day he became president. in 2003 United Nations called Grozny the most destroyed city on Earth!
In 2008, Burns, then the American ambassador to Moscow, wrote to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice: “Ukrainian entry into NATO is the brightest of all redlines for the Russian elite (not just Putin). In more than two and a half years of conversations with key Russian players, from knuckle-draggers in the dark recesses of the Kremlin to Putin’s sharpest liberal critics, I have yet to find anyone who views Ukraine in NATO as anything other than a direct challenge to Russian interests.”
I don't think any politician contributed to ruZZias war against ukrainian people. I'm not even mentioning that it's genocide against the nation, not the Ukrainian Armed forces
It is interesting to hear Angela explain and defend how she “worked” with Putin. Obviously in retrospect the Western Europe made a huge mistake thinking that they could work with Putin for good of all but all along he has been playing the European and Western politicians in a game of carefully orchestrated public relations ploy to hook Europe on Russian oil and lead them to believe that he was wanting to have a cooperative relationship with Europe. Putin it appears was always playing a KGB agent and used that mentality to play with the West in calculated way to get what he wants. Putin always plays the people and tries to mould them to his way of behaving. However, he totally miscalculated the last move by attacking Ukraine and the resolve of the West in which West must continue to arm and support Ukraine fully and continually until Ukraine wins the war!
this is the problem of the past with results in the present. But isn't so that some Western politicians still want to play the same game, the game of 'cooperation' with Russia? Isn't why the support for Ukraine, while bigger than could be expected, is still half-hearted from some sides - like Germany, but not only.
Germany is a liberal democracy? Germany herself is a hostage of us Americans. Are all Germans this ignorant? We haven't left Germany since the end of World War 2. If my eyes and history don't deceive me, the Soviet Union left Germany in 1989 but we Americans are still there as occupiers. 🤔
Putin is not playing a KGB agent. He was never an agent there, he was a bureaucrat, working with papers. A crook is what he is, and that’s what he’s playing. A criminal never understands anything else but force, so it’s very important now for Europe and the ”collective west” to show that they and Ukraine together are stronger than Putin and his minions.
Putin and Russian politics are the same. This happened Georgia in 2008, but Germany was first to block Georgia from EU and NATO canditancy. She made a big mistake and now we see it much more clearly
What Putin wants is not the issue, but what Mr. Scholz wants is an issue There is no point in digging in to the past. DW should make a video on the list of weapons delivered to Ukraine from Germany. We see many promises and many complaints of not keeping those promises from all parties.
@@defcreator187 Scholz is the problem as he is not keeping the promises. If you study Russia, Putin or Medvedev, their reaction will be same. But Bearbock promises and Scholz do not approve. It's been the story for the last 3 months.
Germany has literally delivered words but not weapons to Ukraine for support, they are pro-Russian since WWII. You cannot expect someone who once cooperate with Ruzzia for more.
Very true. Most of all Germany is supposed to be sending, on top of the defensive surface-to-air missiles that can help protect cities, it was also announced a few weeks ago that they would be sending dozens of tracked surface-to-air missile vehicles that it officially discontinued using in 2010, that can shoot missiles and probably aircraft out of the sky. These apparently won’t be arriving until early or mid July, which is still quite far off and very disappointing. However, the biggest annoyance is that Germany was apparently training Ukrainian crews in their country in how to use Germany’s newer Mobile armoured howitzers, however this was probably about a month ago now that they were reported to be in Germany, but we haven’t heard anything from them since. This is very suspicious. We saw actual evidence and now proof that the US and other supplied standard M777 howitzers being supplied to Ukraine had finish training within a matter of weeks and are now clearly out on the front lines doing their work. Why haven’t we seen the same thing from Germany, we have absolutely no information from them whatsoever and we need actual confirmation on this. You are right. DW needs to do a video listing all of the weapons that were reported to be sent to Ukraine, as well as the ones that are actually there NOW, and then the ones that are supposed to arrive in the future.
Germany to Russia- "Please stop this special military operation in Ukraine." Russia- " You still want that oil, don't you?" Germany- "My apologies. We misspoke." Putin playing chess, the west playing checkers. 😂
That's a misrepresentation of the whole situation. Germany is sending heavy weapons to Ukraine. Putin is barking but the gas is still flowing - he is just as dependent on the gas income as Germany is on the gas imports.
@@Whyoakdbi I wish that were the case. Again, I'm not directly witnessing events, my only source is the media - and we all know how bad that can be. However, going on the media, at the begging of the war Germany sent helmets, while other countries sent weapons. When Germany sent anti-take weaponry it was rotten (> 30 years old) and couldn't be used, I've already referred to the missiles. Spain wants to send Leopard 2 tanks, Germany blocks that attempt......and so on.
@@Whyoakdbi Sorry Kaloyan, this is what was reported in the Telegraph (UK) today: “As of today, on the 105th day of the Russian war against Ukraine, no - I repeat - no unit of heavy equipment - at least artillery, howitzers, infantry fighting vehicles, tanks - none has been delivered to Ukraine,” Ukraine’s ambassador to Germany Andriy Melnyk said on Friday.
Instead she should have closed all machiene plants and heavy industry and left millions of Germans unemployed or move to China where resources are cheap and jobs plenty. Or maybe she wasn't that bad after all?
It's not just Russia but China as well. In a way it's unfair to trash her specifically all across the board Germany had a colonial attitude towards eastern Europe while talking about European values when it suited them.
completely agree with it's China. I really think that what's going on is a WW3 of China against the Western democracies. Russia and Ukraine are proxies of that war. xi and Putin think that democracies are not the best form of government for the XXI century. autocracies / dictatorships are because of the necessity of making fast decisions in an ever fast moving World, scientifically and technological speaking. Of course they are wrong. in a so fast world, democracies with their multi neuronal decisions are the best suited to provide the best political, social and economic decisions. this is not saying that democracies don't have problems. inequality and to much power in corporate or individual interesses are a few.
It is opportunistic and irresponsible to place the future of Germany and EU energy and economic security in the hands of the authoritarian evil twins Russia and China.
She along with the GREENS in Europe are handicapping themselves while Russia and China laugh all the way to the bank. ALEX EPSTEIN 's "Fossil Future" on sale now June,2022
There’s lots of ‘blame’ to go around, but how about we have much less of that, and a lot more action to repel Russian aggression? The blame game isn’t helpful, at all.
I only agree in that the blame that has to go around is followed up on completely - after the conclusion of the war. Those who need to be held up to account MUST happen - but it is secondary to focusing on the conclusion of the war.
@@timothylinn While that is certainly correct, there is a proper time and place for that. The crime needs to be stopped first. This needs all the focus and effort right now, every moment's delay is a needlessly bloody one.
I always had a great admiration for her, not anymore. A necessary characteristic of any great leader she is lacking now is the ability to assume his/her own mistakes, and her gas policy were a major gigantic mistake.
So I watched the whole interview, which is over an hour, and I disagree with you here. She explained herself quite well and her points are comprehensible.
@@inimeneinimene463 Surely becoming dependent on Russian gas was not admirable. She is retired, true, but retired politicians are still very influential indeed.
"the only language he understands, anyways, is detterence"... Apparently not! The only language Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin understands is strength. The West tried to 'deter' Putin with sanctions... sanctions! Otto von Bismarck said that a conquering army at the border cannot be stopped with eloquence.
@@miguelfuerte2865 Putin bears full responsibility for this War that is infront of us today. But NATO also has a bit of blame to take. I do not agree with Putin's strategy, but I understand it.
While NATO was not talking about expansion into CIS (Ex-USSR alliance), then no conflicts from Putin until 2008 when NATO expressed wish to expand. And Putin had warned about CIS red lines in Munich in 2007 beforehand
@@babblo1389 indeed Putin did warn at Munich '07. In '08, NATO did vocally proclaim that Ukraine & Georgia would become members one day, that was an empty promise. But let's keep in mind that 10 nations joined NATO from 1999-2004. I am not a Putin-apologist, I am pro-NATO & Democracy but NATO & the West has some blame with this new European War.
as sanctions demonstrate, dependence is a two-way street. economic sanctions are the tool being used to help fight this war against russia. I happen to prefer this as the "safer" option than direct military action against an unhinged nuclear foe. I believe this is the better option for global post-war recovery.
Deflecting and hindsight reasoning is easy. She still fails to see how energy dependency and blind faith in Putin's intentions to stand by the Minsk agreement enabled Putin to do what he is doing now.
I agree. She went with what was easiest.Germany also prevented Ukraine joining Nato which would have safeguarded Ukraines position. Considering she came from East Germany you think she would have had more sympathy with Ukraine and scepticism of long term intentions.
Minsk was a shameful debacle, an absolute travesty of justice, reason, and basic humanity. They knew Putin was a murderous, corrupt, greedy baaastad whose word means nothing. But they served up Ukrainians anyway, effectively saying, "Yeah, we know he beat you up and murdered some of your children, but he said you just made him mad and promised not to do it again if you're nice to him. Besides, he's giving us stuff."
Politicians worry way too much about how people view their legacy. You never hear one of them say, at the time I thought I was doing what is best. Looking back in hindsight however, I screwed up.
Just looking at Angelas face question pops up: has she had any sober days recently?? Relax, Angela, nobody cares about you legacy. In fact we totally forgot about you
First rule of politics. When some good happens its all your doing, when something bad happens its never your fault. That's why we have so many second rate "leaders" in this world.
What does she mean by "I stepped down as Chancellor by choice". Her term was up as stated by the German Constitution. She seems to have a huge ego from her time as leader. PS, noone should forget that NordStream2 terminated in a German town within her own constituency. This should have been a conflict of interest from the beginning.
_"Her term was up as stated by the German Constitution."_ That's right. B.t.w. if I'm not wrong: Putin's term was up as stated by the Russian Constitution. He didn't step down, instead he changed the constitution. Wasn't there something about that, or am I completely mistaken? If I'm right we can interpret Merkel's words as meaning _"I chose not to become a selfappointed dictator."_
@@larsrons7937 That's exactly what she was implying. She's saying "I was so popular I could have stayed on even it meant changing the constitution." - Which I don't think is true bcos she is increasingly unpopular as we learn what her deals with Russia led us to.
I would say Trump gave him the sonic boost. (Edit) Very Googleable fact: Trump withheld military aid to Ukrainians because he wanted Zelensky to investigate the Bidens.
@@braxxian Occasionally you'll see it from retired politicians lol. But yeah if you're running for re-election, you basically can't or you'll be guaranteed to have it taken out of context and used against you :P
Everyday you see the bully in the school yard and everyday you go out of your way to avoid him...but he always finds you and he always tries to draw you into a fight. Sooner or later you will have to fight...there is no other choice.
I absolutely agree. It may be hard for many, and there will be certainly a few bruises and cuts past back-and-forth, but long-term it is far better to put down the bully once and for all to show their true weakness, rather than letting them walk all over you for ever and living with the consequences for the rest of your life in your mind and body.
@@alantorres2256 It means it’s time to take the fight to the bully rather than being cowards and trying to avoid them in fear of getting hurt. Basically, we need to take the flight to Russia’s leaders to put them down once and for all. This is a fight that has literally been 100 years in the making. Many knew it at the end of World War II, but we didn’t want to face it because it was easier to look away to end the war then. Now, even after the collapse of the Soviet Union, we are still facing that same enemy underneath. It never went away, it simply changed its face. It’s time to do this NOW. WE ARE OUT OF TIME TO BE COWARDS.
@@danielwhyatt3278 nobody is holding you back? I’ve never been bullied by Russia or had any problems. I don’t mess with them and they don’t mess with me. If you’re so eager to fight, why aren’t you? They’ve been accepting volunteers for months now, what are you waiting for. Practice what you preach .
Angela maintained peace for 16 years. She did her job. She wasn't in office during the start of the war. It doesn't fall on her. Blame Brussels, London and Washington.
Any regrets regarding supporting the Nord Stream 1 and 2 projects as "purely business" undertakings? Any regrets regarding lack of gas diversification? If Europe would have had the option to quickly substitute the Russian gas and oil, Putil would be forced to think twice before attacking... Now the EU is practically funding his war, because of this dependency...
She didn’t do it . It was way back when . Also what would the alternative have been ? Other then full green energy or nuclear power which after Chernobyl is sketchy at best
@@dacadz and she made no effort to end it. Maybe because the initial glue used to hold the progenetor EU together was coal and steel. The theory being, codependence made war impossible. The flaw in the argument is when the codependence becomes monstrously asymmetric.
The KGB men, with Putin being their front men, worked for the last 20 yrs at restoring the great Russian empire. They played the west well but now made a fatal mistake by underestimating it and Ukraine's resolve.
Unfortunately for some people, he calculated these unfolding events quite well and was prepared for this war, but Europe wasn’t. EU decided to push Russians and they didn’t succeed, ruble is growing, as well as oil and gas prices. And without European market Russia won’t suffer, now it’s focusing on relationship with India and China, so the war for Ukrainians is a catastrophe, but US and EU continue to destroy their ‘friend’. Great job, guys!
@@rons5319 don't think so. The West will supply enough weapons to exhaust Russia and weaken it until they can't fight no more. The goal is to avoid ww3 by supplying too many weapons too quickly.
It's time for France and Germany to provide more military aid to Ukraine. The U.S and the U.K have done an admirable job in providing the necessary technology to help Ukraine defend themselves.
It’s not help! They are SELLING that weaponry, not gifting! Why do you think everyone is so pushing that grain to leave Ukraine? That’s some of the payment for the weapons! And later would be decades if not a hundred years of repayments! That’s what Poroshenko and Zelenskiy are doing for Ukraine! Ruining it! If not already ruined😏
I don't think she would have had the public support given Germany's past; even Scholz has tread lightly...and slowly. Germany's energy dependence on Russian oil and gas on the other hand, even after Putin's aggressions in Georgia and Crimea, was wishful thinking and short-sighted.
2 months ago Scholz said they are able to cut the oil in 3 weeks and gas in 5 weeks + Imagine he is not able to process tanks he promised Poland when we passed 240 T-72M1 to Ukraine. Of course, this is in large part idiocy of Kaczyński but Scholz should push it to the realization no matter how.
_"...to try and engage him (Putin) through what she called dialogue thinking that that would be the answer."_ Haven't I heard that before? Something connected to a _"peace in our time"_ statement? In the late 1930's? Perhaps that's what we should expect from a person with the *courage and firmness of a wet noodle.*
I can understand why Nordstream 2 would have been a good idea proximity etc..BUT.. Not having a back up plan to keep Russia on its toes ..is what I don't understand!!
@@w-4258 The gas is mostly needed for industrial use, so nuclear plants are useless for that. And even for electricity, they're much more expensive to build and operate than gas plants or (especially) wind & solar plants. Nuclear is a dead technology for mainstream use. It's currently backfiring for France - their old plants are increasingly becoming a burden.
@@w-4258 Gas is currently the only viable way to reach the temperatures needed for furnaces in the steel industry, for example. Same for the chemical industry, except that it's also needed as an ingredient. There are concepts of transitioning these sectors to "power to gas", but that's going to be a massive undertaking that will take decades.
Ukraine saying it wanted to join Nato was the trigger for all of this. The relationship between Russia and the EU was never great, it was strictly business and it worked. I feel like this war only benefits the US as it made the EU more dependent of them. Without Europe, the is no American empire.
Rubbish! Putrid Putin has lost the plot, he is a dictator and a war criminal…. Over the past 30 years Putin and his cronies from the KGB / FSB have plundered their country and eliminated all opposition in Russia. Simple as that.
Her time in power was mostly good for Germany, although on Putin and policies towards Russia history will not absolve her. She contributed significantly to the West's placating of Putin which emboldened him and now Ukraine is paying a heavy price.
She sounds like a bad boss. There for the money and to take credit for other people's work. But doesn't want to take responsibility when their decisions lead to problems. So in short a politician.
Her Legacy is Economy first and morals left behind... For very long I felt as member of EU that there is only one ethics existing.. price of oil.. and we can criticise her now but everybody in Europe was buying it.. Why She would do anything different when everything worked well.. Polish president flue to Georgia when it was attacked.. Paranoic.. He died in plain 'Crush' IN RUSSIA.. We were not allowed to investigate openly.. No support from west.. Almost nobody even in Poland believed it wasn't an accident.. Everybody wanted to simply trade with Russia.. All inconvenience was swept under the carpet.. Don't blame her now..
@@vitaliivasenkov5202 What I was Saying is more like... Everybody knows what a drug diler does.. Everybody quietly accepts it, even some loudly applaud.. then some addicted dies.. What does everybody.. ? Blame the diler.. That is not Just or Truthful.. That is Washing of Your hands..
Really? The Polish president was killed in a plane crash in Russia and they didn't let Poland in to investigate? I never even heard of that here in the US news. What year did this happen 2008? Usually they let investigators from 3 countries come to the crash site to find out what happened. The country where the plane crashed, the country of the people killed in the crash, and investigators from where the plane was designed and built, for example if it was a Boeing aircraft then people from the USA... I'm not sure which European country makes Airbus, but it would have been people from there...Putin has been up to no good for a long time. Poland has been warning everyone for a while. It's just a shame that it took a major war in Europe for the rest of NATO to listen...
@@snapdragon6601 In 2010 He was going to commemorate polish soldiers (some 22000) who were killed buy Soviets doring WW2 in Katyn (Captured or other officials arrested and then ordered by Stalin to be kilelled.. not like kileed in the battle). (Which Russia still doesn't acknowledge, well they actually did in 2010 after the president died but still many officials deny it). It was an OLD Tupolew so Russians can say they have sent their man to it ;-) For example we still didn't get the wreck of the plain.. and it was simply left outside to rotten.. To be clear.. Polish side was allowed to investigate.. but we did not have the authority to conduct investigative actions.. The Polish investigation results were to be based in part on Russian findings.. You can imagine many felt dissatisfied.. I'm not sure how much we should be allowed, but what we were was after long disputes.. We Felt cut off from it and mostly double checking..
You know there is a massive Holocaust memorial right in the German capital city? Honestly your opinion might be the dumbest thing I will read this week.
That's why Russia stopped appeasing the Evil 🏳️🌈 countries that were never thankful and always pushed their 🏳️🌈 everywhere possible. Liberal Democracies with pushy agendas have become a byword in many countries
Thats Good News giving us an open dialogue to How Russia under Putin is !!! , Now it's time Germany does more in sending Arms NOW and ONGOING to Ukraine so it can defend itself , NO More talk No More Delay ... This is Serious
It's clear that she is a politician, not a leader who has vision for humanity. The problem is not just Putin, it 's the ideology that he and many people believe.
We always hope that other people think like us. I think she felt that by including Russia with business, they would change - the same with China. However, looking back it is clear that this is not the case. They have not mellowed and are not democracies and are not progressive.
So why China has to change? Does they need to invade Iraq, Syria, Lybia, Afghanistan... and other countless victims? They still the most peaceful between superpowers.
Well it did make them more like us, in a sense. The livelihoods of ordinary Chinese improved, and so did the rest of the world benefit from cheaper prices and we managed to focus on higher ends of the supply chain. Globalisation has indeed benefitted the world, regardless of whether you expect the other Govt to become more “like” you or not.
What do you expect. If they don't trade with China, which country can replace China. Trump tariffs have given opportunity for other countries to take advantage but none can really impress except may be COMMUNIST Vietnam
Written in 1855 (Crimean War) "This then is my creed. I look upon Russia as the personification of despotism : in the present state of Poland and Hungary we see her work. Such a power can be curbed only by war, and must be curbed sooner or later, if Europe is to remain free. If we believe that God wills the liberty and happiness of mankind, how can we doubt that we are doing God's work in fighting for liberty against aggression" John Bright MP was pro-Russian, and replied (1855) :- "I go against fighting for Hungary or any other country.....by perfecting our own institutions, by promoting intelligence, morality and health......we shall do more for humanity" John Bright also acknowledged - "It is a delusion to think you can take guarantees from Russia", and he suggested that "The Russian power was a phantom". 170yrs later, and Russia is still at it.
Her legacy is hurt very badly by this war because it shows how the policies of Germany have exposed her country, even more than the others, to dependency from Russia for energy. They shut down (or are about to) the nuclear plants and were even building nord stream 2. Instead of planning ahead for energy independence Germany and Europe relied on Russia, now we are forced to do in the shortest time possible what we should have begun at least a decade ago, if not 2.
Germany needs Trudeau's syringe brain to guide them on their own drowning!
Too bad politics keeps the energy expensive and dangerous. If it weren't for nukes, there'd be plenty of reliable electricity.
India keeps energy cheap, in some cases free to business. Germany will be having hard time to complete with India, China.
Merkels shattered look gives it away that nothing good is in sight
I agree with everything you said. But to be fair, she doesn't have dictatorial powers in a democracy and there are different factions that influence decisions. I think that it was convenient to believe that Russia would not be beligerent as long as the 2 countries conducted trade. And I'm sure German industrialists exerted pressure to convince her of this.
Well said
I strongly disagree with her assessment "she has nothing to apologize for". Yes, she does. It was Germany's policy to bet heavily on energy from Russia. And to make a series of steps "to appease Putin". Both backfired badly. In long term, Germany's policy (especially) towards Russia, during her governance, was a catastrophe. Nothing short of that.
I agree. Obama said he couldn’t get censuses on Crimea. Ultimately Russia and Putin must pay they are responsible but our leadership must continue to be firm with Putin. Until he dies or leaves then perhaps dynamics with Russia can change. But the general population And their opinions i dunno anymore its almost like a radicalism that is occurring there.
Dont forget, She has to deal with Trump
@@lirenh Trump was 4 years. She was in office 16. And North Stream 1 was completed years before Trump even thought for presidency. And after Putin invaded Georgia. So she KNEW EXACTLY what he was. Or if she didn't, she was shortsighted and unwise.
Exactly! She was a fool
@@Sunshine-un5ww The russians are being brainwashed. How long did it take to flush out Nazism from Germany following the war ?
Genuine question & absolutely no insult intended.
She is to blame for many bad decisions made its her legacy there’s simply no denying it.
As a yankville resident i don't think you even know what you are talking about or where Germany is on a map. When was the last time you read a book? google the word "book" if you don't know what it is.....heh
@@FoodwaysDistribution Who are you talking to?
stick to american politics you obviously know nothing about the rest of the world.
@@jordanchristie3617 I speak both English and German and have spent time in both countries, although I don't live in either. I agree completely with Evan Smith. Would you like to tell me how I know nothing about the world?
Wait util one day China will bite her too.
She should have said at least: "I regret putting Germany so dependent of Russia"
Not only Germany dependent of Russia. Matter of fact, whole of Europe r depending on Russia.
@@cheekiat8362 Don't stereotype Europe.
1. Spain is not dependent on Russian gas since the majority of its gas supplies are from Algeria and Morocco via the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline (MGE).
2. The UK is not dependent on Russian natural gas, making up less than 4% of the supply.
3. Poland and Bulgaria were planning for the expiration of supply contracts with Gazprom by the end of 2022. A new gas pipeline from Poland to Baltic countries i.e. Gas Interconnection Poland-Lithuania (GIPL). EU funded a new gas pipeline from Norway to Poland via Denmark i.e. Baltic Pipe Project. EU funded Croatia's new LNG terminals.
Yea, agree. Heating with firewood and dung would be better!
Without Germany...Europe would have gone in recession decades ago...inflation in europe is sky high
As a Norwegian im looking forward to my government getting richer pls build pipelines from our gas fields we spend some of the profits for NGO’s atleast
She was there, both in '08 and '14, when Putin exposed his aggression, and did nothing in the way of redundancy for energy.
She was Stadi agent in 80's in DDR. Accidentaly Putin was young KGB agent in DDR the same time. Does really somebody trust in what she said??
And what is Germany doing about addressing Putin's aggression in 2022? 1/10ths of F* all.
What is the West doing to salvage situation. The West is of no good to the world, killing people slowly.
Stupidly closed all nuclear plants, oil and gass extractions all it is a shortsighted well payed corruption and idiotic acting. But not her fault
it's easy to make money when you ignore obligations (paying fair amount into NATO, for example) and buy cheap energy from the Russian Mafia that runs Russian. I fear for NATO. I think Germany/France would backsliode if NATO had to mobilise - just hope I'm wrong, I really do!
For example Germany (even today) keeps claiming they are sending weapons to Ukraine, they are not! One example I can give is that Germany has sent M270 rocket lauchers but haven't sent the rockets. Germany has said it won't be sending the rockets until the winter.
"I don't blame myself" Said every politician ever
Ion
@@MrDancermgl
Obviously not so smart ...
Naïve is not smart !!
why would she blame herself for the actions of a mad man?
@@Davao420 Because she has been blind for his crimes for over a decade and made him even more powerful. Putting business over values it's not always that great idea either.
@@Blanka1100 like what was said in the interview, her choices were based on consensus with other parties and actors. You're talking as if it was all her fault, European disunity also played a role in that, and that's not just on her.
She lead Germany to its current situation: disarmed and dependent on Russian natural gas.
If this is not a total failure of her policy, what is?
Germany is a liberal democracy?
Germany herself is a hostage of us Americans. Are all Germans this ignorant? We haven't left Germany since the end of World War 2. If my eyes and history don't deceive me, the Soviet Union left Germany in 1989 but we Americans are still there as occupiers. 🤔
I was told by Germans she's a master 9d chess master politican
She also made Germany rich
@@Alex-pj8nzRich yes, but without concerns for human rights, like the genocide in China, and decency?
Changed the population of Germany.
"I don't blame myself for not having tried hard enough,". I don't think there has ever been a politician in the world that actually blames themselves for anything bad, unless it can get them more votes.
@Oskar winters Why? Are they stripped of common sense when they take up the position?
we need you russia❣🇩🇪🇷🇺❣🙋♀️
😂
@Oskar winters They tend to choose the advisors from people who agree with their policy.
It is opportunistic and irresponsible to place the future of Germany and EU energy and economic security in the hands of the authoritarian expansionists Russia and China.
If you have to say "I don't agree with Putin, to be perfectly clear" then your position is already far from proper. It's very disappointing.
Germany disarmed with no defence capability and totally reliant on Russia for it's energy requirements.
Some legacy
exactly. And totally materialistically oriented philosophy. Cut the russian gas, have 2 years with lower income economy, but do the right thing. prevail.
@@thelovacluka "have 2 years with lower income economy" => get the AFD into power
@@tokarp390 It looks like it….unfortunately.
Unlike Poland
The government of Germany has committed to increase military spending to meet the NATO '2%'. The German Armed Forces are growing & modernizing.
Sad... Preserving her pride is more important to her than ensuring Germany does everything it can to help Ukraine. She had the chance to look like a great leader; one who can admit their mistakes. History won't be kind to her.
@@TheRealShawnCrowe what a dumb and disrespectful comment, I hope you feel shame, especially for ending your idiotic sentence with a smiley face, as if any of this is somewhat funny.
Ukraine war isnt her fault
Germany is a liberal democracy?
Germany herself is a hostage of us Americans. Are all Germans this ignorant? We haven't left Germany since the end of World War 2. If my eyes and history don't deceive me, the Soviet Union left Germany in 1989 but we Americans are still there as occupiers. 🤔
What more can Germany do to help Ukraine? The price is already too high, and it will just go up and up
@@dogtens1060 No it is not, but she had oportunity to think one step in advance to have less impact. Not suprised why Sholcz visited today my home country Lithuania as we already been saying about dependance from them...
No Putin isnt destroying EU, actually the current leadership of EU are doing a great job themselves... Im afraid the incompetence is breathtaking. This is what happens when you give power to the greens....
Thank you. ALEX EPSTEIN 's "Fossil Future" on sale now June,2022
Lost all the little respect I had for her. Her career will be remembered for sucking up to dictators. And for what? A little money? Honestly the German people deserve so much better.
You go run for the chancellor of Germany. Try to stay there for 16 years, and try not to make any mistakes. She made huge mistakes, cutting off nuclear power for one. Still she did lots of great things for Germany and the EU
@@Juho221 Staying for 16 years might just be part of the problem.
@@danielwang7793 I think you're right. Still we can't ignore all the good she did
@@danielwang7793
I agree, hence why I like the American style of 2 term at max, no more matter how popular the president is.
@@Juho221 she did huge mistakes?
Dam rights she has!!!
What good things has she actually done for Europe??
She has weakened and undermined the EU'S position to an extent that Russia, has the west by the un mentionables, over gas and oil.
The only legacy that woman has left. Is impoverished families left with a choice of either eating or heating.
They can not afford both. That woman has serious blood on her hands!!!
We should also mention Gerhard Schröder. He is the former chancellor of Germany, who approved Nordstream just to become a board member in the Nordstream Company, Rosneft and Gazprom.
This is probably the most extreme case of lobbyism.
That is the definition of a double agent. Trump and his friends are also double agents.
Nord Stream II is nothing less than an economical Molotov-Ribbentrop pact!
@@matasha8038 He's already a citizen of the Russian federation.
ALEX EPSTEIN 's "Fossil Future" on sale now June,2022. Biden gave the okay to the Putin pipeline then realised he had to reverse course because of Ukraine.
@@jozzef40 🤦♂🤦♂🤦♂🤦♂🤣🤣🤣🤣
This woman almost destroyed Germany!
She is not the only one. The hole government og German as well as people who voted for them. We all know what Germany is capeble for... it looks like germans not changed after the WW2... and know Germany is a marionet for Russia. As well as France and Italy. All of you sitting in Putins pocket
How did you come to that conclusion?
The same blame applies to Macron. "Dialogues" with a brutal bully will only encourage him to advance further.
Who did the US bully, and how?
@@sit-insforsithis1568 ooohhh a putin puppet, yes bot :) yes like the US :) bot bot bot bot puppet puppet
If there was no dialogue in politics, then the world would have been destroyed 20 times over already. The west tried and tried again to find a diplomatic middle ground with Putin, but it was him who rejected the diplomacy.
@@sit-insforsithis1568 Should I use a different language, like rapacious, land-thirsty f**king monster?
@@Vladishit_Putler are you insane ? I fully support Ukraine, this language is just childish for geopolitics.
She's delusional about her lack of culpability in enabling Russia's actions and leaving Germany enfeebled.
Wouldn’t be the first time her bloodline betray the country they represent
On the contrary, she is totally responsible for the chaos.
Contrary she prob held him back for years.
Right?
@@Sunshine-un5ww the u.s. by now....prob has... the ability to change the trajectory of an asteroids....
but even we make mistakes with trajectories...
"I should have done more for Ukraine"
"You could let them join NAtO-"
"No, that would antagonize Russia."
Typical political doublespeak. Germany prevented Ukraine from joining, making them vulnerable to Russian attack.
Taht was not the reason why she was against the Ukraine to join the NATO. Ukraine was a very politically unstable, undemocratic, very corrupt country. You just wouldn't allow such an unstable country to be member of the NATO. She posted all her valid arguments (at least back when the decision was to be made) in this interview but they're not shown in this video. And if all others country wanted and want the Ukraine to be in the NATO, why don't they just start engaging actively in the war as if the Ukraine was to be in the NATO?
Why not to let Russia join NATO in 2000, there would be no problems at all. But who voted against?
She doesn't need to blame herself--we'll do it for her! 16 years of appeasement by Europe's largest economy is not an insignificant factor in the current state of things.
Bribery?
@@mcfoolskully emphaty for whom?
@@eedragonr6293 Not her
This appeasement is why Germany is Europe's largest economy.
You mean 16 year of peace and Germany leading EU economy? Every countries have their own values and positions, great leaders manage their differences and find common ground.
Having an all out war hurts everybody in Europe and only benefits US. How does inflation, increasing military spending (money would otherwise be used developing economy or welfare) benefit Germany? Although US is so happy selling weapons and expensive US energy to EU, meanwhile reviving NATO which takes away Europe’s ability to make their own strategical decision that serves European interests instead of US interests.
Her refusal to accept responsibility and apologize is just further damaging her "legacy"
What legacy?🤣
Le problème c'est pas elle le mal vient d,ailleurs et beaucoup plus profond demandez à vos alliés d,arrêtez de vouloir être les gendarmes du monde
@@jacobheinz8236stopping the 2014 Russia Ukraine war even though we finally get Season 2 in 2022
@@carkawalakhatulistiwa She is part of the reason why this war broke out. Watch her interview with "Die Zeit" in 2022
Not in my eyes, she was one of the most dignified leaders a Germany, and the world has had.
There is no diplomacy with a bully! All a bully understands is power and strength and the potential of equal and potential of violence!
u mean the us right?
@@algonose4 The U.S. The world. It is the same threw out human history.
German dependence on Russian gas? Thank you Angela! Total responsibility!
Not really, as there is a very strong anti-nuclear-power attitude in Germany. Germans should take a look at France as they are supplying Germany with low carbon electricity thanks to investing in nuclear energy. Instead many Germans look at Russia when they think about nuclear energy...
yes it already become fact. now it is too late to say anything
and what about your dependency on USA in terms of security.
When she was in the office, I was often frustrated with the amount of trust she put into Russia, but to be fair to her and all politicians who wanted to include Russia, it is not their fault that Putin is such a deceptive and bloodthirsty dictator. The fault is entirely Putin’s. We should not forget that the war in Ukraine is only and entirely Russia’s fault and I hope and pray that it will finally be its undoing.
Let us not re-direct the blame anywhere else than where it really lies: in Russian dictatorship and illusion of grandeur.
Where would Germany get it's gas and fuel it's growth economically? Answer that before you throw that stone. The US gets it's oil from Saudi Arabia who murders Yemenis. From Iran who they boycott. So what's your alternative? Corporations need gas regardless of what abuses those countries commit. You would be out of work and have no food if it weren't for the acquisition of that gas.
She kept the German military weak despite Russia invading Crimea and, she made Germany dependent on Russian petroleum products.
There is blood on her hands
Schroder?
@@shamanbhattacharyya9285 Think he’s a director at Gasprom now.
Responsible : ability to respond.
Your ability has been used in blaming. You will do that until you see it is ineffective at changing what is.
Blame is actually part of the grieving process.
See you in surrender my friend
They all have blood on their hands,every government
Why not NATO .. to appease Russia? No justification for Feb 24 attack … did she forget the 2014 attack on Crimea?? A change in last 7 years … YES because of the Orange Revolution.. not because of any help or encouragement from Germany. HER policies brought this on Ukraine and on EU/NATO today.
She broke a good deal with Russia, unfortunately you cannot put yourself in such a vulnerable position when dealing with the mafia like she did
the thing with mafia is, they have honour and pride. so mafia will always honour their end of bargain because they know the conseuqnences
@@TMM-N You've been watching too many movies.
Great deal with Russia they hold all the cards. Go GREEN and Russia and China win without a fight.
Her 'legacy' is that she helped lead to this conflict
Thats her legacy and that's everyone's legacy. She made best possible situation for her country at no harm to any other country.
@@GraniteInTheFace You sound like you are part of the brainwashed Zombie Army of KGB-Putin.
I disagree. Her approach was not only sound, it was the only approach. We can't fight Russia, because they have nuclear weapons. We can't fight any country that has nuclear weapons. So the only option was to try and work with them, make them partners. So that, yes, we depend on them, but they also depend on us. So that an actual war would be bad for both sides.
People blame Europe for buying Russian gas and depending too much on it. You know who Russia would've sold their gas if they weren't selling it to Europe? China. These pipelines that are between Russia and Europe now would've been between Russia and China. And then we would've had 0 economical control over Russia.
And even if you disagree with my point, you must then agree that it wasn't just she who lead to this conflict - we all did. Her politics toward Russia were everyone's politics toward Russia.
this conflict is mostly US fault
@@nevarran BS it was the only approach. Why didn’t she build redundancies? Like LNG terminals. Have both, so you cannot be blackmailed by either side.
She rejected that, probably because Putin wouldn’t have liked it… ?
She wanted cheap gas. Not variation. All the cheap gas she can get. And this after Putin invaded Georgia and Ukraine in 2014.
She is 100% to blame!
Very disappointing attempt to shirk responsibility. Her legacy is forever tarnished. A former admirer.
She and her best friend Obama have been shown to be the incompetents that they always were.
She has made Europe at mercy of a bullier like Putin😏
She, like almost all politicians in Germany, was in a lot of aspects beholden to Germany’s big business interests. And German big business wanted (and still wants) to maintain and grow their profitable business interests in Russia.
While her policies were favourable to job availability and incomes in Germany now the real price has to be paid.
Also, she can deny it all she wants but she was at least partly responsible for making Germany an energy vassal state of Russia. She should have know better, much better!
yes
Withouth Russian commodities..have fun to be poor Germany and Europe.
As a leader she could have done more to warn the public about gas dependancy, but as a servent the german government was bound to keep buying it because the people wanted it. Big business does not have significant undue influence in a proper proportional voting system like Germany's. Everyone enjoyed the cheap fuel from Russia while imagining themselves to be far more "green" than they were.
But in lack of energy resources in your own country, and denying the nuclear plants categorically, you already left with no way to deny vassal status. Your choosing is between becoming Russian vassal or American vassal. Consequences are either supporting a war in Ukrain, or a war in Middle East, or Asia-Pacific.
She has no blame whatsoever. Yes they got cheap energy from Russia. So what? Any politician would have taken the cheapest option. She knows how to live with the neighbour. SHe comes from East Germany. She grew up under Communism. She speaks Russian. She is not to blame for anything. Germany was not expanding its border. Germany under her was not threatening Russia. They were living in peace with the neighbour. No blame. Regrettable situation but no apology necessary.
She made what Russia is today. Thats her legacy!
@@fishlivesmatter А чем является сегодня Россия???? Вы зачем с 2014 !!!!года вводили санкции??? Против моей страны ВЫ члены стран НАТО ввели 11000 !!!!! санкций!!!!! Вы кто такие что диктуете мне как мне жить в моей стране!!!!!!! Сколько можно уже терпеть вашу злобу ???!!! Сколько Россия пыталась с вами разговаривать дипломатией и разумом..... Хватит уже вас терпеть с вашим высокомерием и ложью о России!!!!! Вы уже весь мир перевернули .... Россия самая лучшая страна в мире!!! И ваши гей штучки нам не нужны!! Живите в своём болоте и дальше но нас не смейте трогать!!
@@jaunt3603 No, America made what RUssia is today. US will eat EU's bones and blood.
Putin made Russia what it is today (but with fiscal backing from Germany)
@@ОльгаБредлер Enjoy the sanctions Ivan!
@@fishlivesmatter wrong again, Putin made Russia what it is today
In 2008, Burns, then the American ambassador to Moscow, wrote to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice: “Ukrainian entry into NATO is the brightest of all redlines for the Russian elite (not just Putin). In more than two and a half years of conversations with key Russian players, from knuckle-draggers in the dark recesses of the Kremlin to Putin’s sharpest liberal critics, I have yet to find anyone who views Ukraine in NATO as anything other than a direct challenge to Russian interests.”
To all of those who say that Putin is mad. Most Russians agree with Putin on the issue of Ukraine. So it's not just Putin being a mad man.
16 years in power and she did nothing to prevent this.
She delayed the war for 8 years. 😜
She close the nuclear plants and buy Russian gas, She permits sold all the technology companies to China and other key companies
@@jansix4287 what?
@@AndreaPirlo888 2014-2022, eight years!
@@AndreaPirlo888 closing the nuclear plant was the choice of German people after Japan nuclear plant accident. If she did not follow people's choice, she would step down ahead of schedule
Even to this day she can't take responsibility or see that she had a lot of reasons already back at her time, to act differently. Not she pretends that only this war is changing everything, when in fact Russia has shown this side earlier and Germany have chosen to close their eyes to their big weakness overall. It's shameful!
Which way you mean? What Russia was showing? What you all want from Russia? Russia also tries to care about its own people!
@@janestones323 nice try jane, but Pooo tin 💩💩💩 and his oligarch cronies care only about themselves and power. Russia will not recover from the shame of it for generations.
@@janestones323 Russia could defend their own people in their country, not invading other countries
Absolutely. It's a shame and shameful! And now Scholz not providing heavy weapons, that too!
@@AndreaPirlo888 That would never occur to them. There's a reason they're called Russians.
She fed that Beast and turned blind eye on the beginning of Russian colonial wars in Georgia 2008 and Ukraine in 2014.
But the major question is why she persisted beyond any sense and against advice from around the world, with the foolish NordStream2 enterprise. And why she didn't left Germany so desperately reliant on Russian energy.
She hated Trump so much that she did exactly the opposite to Trumps concerns. When She ignored Trump, Trump then removed his troops to place them in Poland. She speaks of a defence architecture that is lacking .... this is a joke because most Nato nations on a whole did not spend their contractual % of GDP on military spending, relying heavily on the US and the UK ( and a few others ). All this interview was, was nothing more than a move to try save her legacy.
While the idea of tie both sides with economic reliance is at least understandable (it worked for democratic Western Europe), it didn't work for Putin and Russian Oligarchic system, it only for them to play and put around bit by bit now is only time to show them that they can't do it.
And of course, lobbying between politicians too. Many have their stock in many of Russian energy company.
She thought she can control Putin as she controlled the migration crises? Haha...
Easy to say that now. Of course at that time no one imagined Putin would be such a fool to invade another country under the spotlight.
@@goldfingerhardcore Yes they did... the whole world was shouting at Germany "Don't do NordStream2". The USA even threatened to sanction Germany over it. *Even I*, not among the most hostile to Russia, have seen for years that this was strategically insane. There's no hindsight here - it was blindingly obvious.
It's her fault sucking up to Russia, and Germany still is.
Germany largely benefited from cheap energy from Russia at the cost of European stability 🤬🤬🤬
The thing about legacy is that what the person thinks about their legacy has absolutely nothing to do with it.
Angela has an endless hunger for Putin's pole.
@@eisenkopf69 irrelevant. At the end she was more successful then you will ever be.
@@parsonk4041 Your comment is irrelevant. Peter's achievements aren't in question here.
She ruined it by not apologizing for the huge failure she made, rather defended it. She brought down not just Germany but the whole EU an Scholz just make it worse whit his neverending lies. Profit instead of moral. That was her legacy which stands.
@@turquoise806 and your comments seems rather salty.
How is it possible for a 12 minute commentary on Merkel’s Russia policy and legacy not once to mention the glaring strategic error of making German energy supplies dependent on Russia?
It wasn't an error. She simply had no other choice. now that all German products lose their competitive advantage, we will see who is the real one to blame. Leyen&co is the keyword😉
_"all German products lose their competitive advantage"_
Their competitive advantage was the price and not the quality, right.....
@@babblo1389 There was the choice that Germany is taking anyway NOW. So yes, she could have. She didnt.
Simply should had to admit that closing Nuclear Plant was just a way to grab votes from GreenPart and some other old hippis
It is opportunistic and irresponsible to place the future of Germany and EU energy and economic security in the hands of the authoritarian expansionists Russia and China.
In a world with only rational actors, there is some truth to the logic that increasing trade with Russia would reduce the likelihood of both sides initiating a war... but that all falls apart when dealing with madmen like Putin. What was outright done wrong though, is that the signs weren't picked up and interpreted properly when Georgia and Crimea were invaded. The writing was on the wall in boldface.
I don't understand how signs could not be picked up properly when Putin bombed Chechnya's capital Grozny flat the 3rd day he became president. in 2003 United Nations called Grozny the most destroyed city on Earth!
100% agree with this answer!
You make total sense.
In 2008, Burns, then the American ambassador to Moscow, wrote to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice: “Ukrainian entry into NATO is the brightest of all redlines for the Russian elite (not just Putin). In more than two and a half years of conversations with key Russian players, from knuckle-draggers in the dark recesses of the Kremlin to Putin’s sharpest liberal critics, I have yet to find anyone who views Ukraine in NATO as anything other than a direct challenge to Russian interests.”
I don't think any politician contributed to ruZZias war against ukrainian people. I'm not even mentioning that it's genocide against the nation, not the Ukrainian Armed forces
It is interesting to hear Angela explain and defend how she “worked” with Putin. Obviously in retrospect the Western Europe made a huge mistake thinking that they could work with Putin for good of all but all along he has been playing the European and Western politicians in a game of carefully orchestrated public relations ploy to hook Europe on Russian oil and lead them to believe that he was wanting to have a cooperative relationship with Europe. Putin it appears was always playing a KGB agent and used that mentality to play with the West in calculated way to get what he wants. Putin always plays the people and tries to mould them to his way of behaving. However, he totally miscalculated the last move by attacking Ukraine and the resolve of the West in which West must continue to arm and support Ukraine fully and continually until Ukraine wins the war!
this is the problem of the past with results in the present. But isn't so that some Western politicians still want to play the same game, the game of 'cooperation' with Russia? Isn't why the support for Ukraine, while bigger than could be expected, is still half-hearted from some sides - like Germany, but not only.
Germany is a liberal democracy?
Germany herself is a hostage of us Americans. Are all Germans this ignorant? We haven't left Germany since the end of World War 2. If my eyes and history don't deceive me, the Soviet Union left Germany in 1989 but we Americans are still there as occupiers. 🤔
Putin is not playing a KGB agent. He was never an agent there, he was a bureaucrat, working with papers. A crook is what he is, and that’s what he’s playing. A criminal never understands anything else but force, so it’s very important now for Europe and the ”collective west” to show that they and Ukraine together are stronger than Putin and his minions.
Anglela has been working in the wine cellar a lot recently...just the appearance gives it away
Putin and Russian politics are the same. This happened Georgia in 2008, but Germany was first to block Georgia from EU and NATO canditancy. She made a big mistake and now we see it much more clearly
What Putin wants is not the issue, but what Mr. Scholz wants is an issue There is no point in digging in to the past. DW should make a video on the list of weapons delivered to Ukraine from Germany. We see many promises and many complaints of not keeping those promises from all parties.
@@defcreator187 Scholz is the problem as he is not keeping the promises. If you study Russia, Putin or Medvedev, their reaction will be same. But Bearbock promises and Scholz do not approve. It's been the story for the last 3 months.
So what? Your government constantly breaks promises
Germany has literally delivered words but not weapons to Ukraine for support, they are pro-Russian since WWII. You cannot expect someone who once cooperate with Ruzzia for more.
Very true. Most of all Germany is supposed to be sending, on top of the defensive surface-to-air missiles that can help protect cities, it was also announced a few weeks ago that they would be sending dozens of tracked surface-to-air missile vehicles that it officially discontinued using in 2010, that can shoot missiles and probably aircraft out of the sky. These apparently won’t be arriving until early or mid July, which is still quite far off and very disappointing. However, the biggest annoyance is that Germany was apparently training Ukrainian crews in their country in how to use Germany’s newer Mobile armoured howitzers, however this was probably about a month ago now that they were reported to be in Germany, but we haven’t heard anything from them since. This is very suspicious. We saw actual evidence and now proof that the US and other supplied standard M777 howitzers being supplied to Ukraine had finish training within a matter of weeks and are now clearly out on the front lines doing their work. Why haven’t we seen the same thing from Germany, we have absolutely no information from them whatsoever and we need actual confirmation on this. You are right. DW needs to do a video listing all of the weapons that were reported to be sent to Ukraine, as well as the ones that are actually there NOW, and then the ones that are supposed to arrive in the future.
@@danielwhyatt3278 and if they break their promise, what are you gonna do about it? Lol complain some more ?
Like so many American politicians, events have shown she failed her country.
My view of Germany as a reliable partner in NATO is waning.
This is what appeasing a dictator gives you.
I can't agree more. Correct.
She was serving big business and did her job perfectly.
@@screamingeagle1316 who are you?!
Well, she wasn't one
There was a big misunderstanding of Russia in Western Europe. From Poland.
I, as an ordinary person, also know the importance of diversification. She as a well known leader....
I blame the media for singing non-stop praise to her for so many years.
You can blame the media all you want but it was the people that kept her in power.
Germany to Russia- "Please stop this special military operation in Ukraine."
Russia- " You still want that oil, don't you?"
Germany- "My apologies. We misspoke."
Putin playing chess, the west playing checkers.
😂
Excellent way of putting it.
That's a misrepresentation of the whole situation. Germany is sending heavy weapons to Ukraine. Putin is barking but the gas is still flowing - he is just as dependent on the gas income as Germany is on the gas imports.
@@Whyoakdbi I wish that were the case. Again, I'm not directly witnessing events, my only source is the media - and we all know how bad that can be. However, going on the media, at the begging of the war Germany sent helmets, while other countries sent weapons. When Germany sent anti-take weaponry it was rotten (> 30 years old) and couldn't be used, I've already referred to the missiles. Spain wants to send Leopard 2 tanks, Germany blocks that attempt......and so on.
Germany under GREEN policies playing as SUCKERS while Russia and China laugh all the way to the bank.
@@Whyoakdbi Sorry Kaloyan, this is what was reported in the Telegraph (UK) today: “As of today, on the 105th day of the Russian war against Ukraine, no - I repeat - no unit of heavy equipment - at least artillery, howitzers, infantry fighting vehicles, tanks - none has been delivered to Ukraine,” Ukraine’s ambassador to Germany Andriy Melnyk said on Friday.
What she said was: It was not my fault.
Instead she should have closed all machiene plants and heavy industry and left millions of Germans unemployed or move to China where resources are cheap and jobs plenty.
Or maybe she wasn't that bad after all?
It's not just Russia but China as well. In a way it's unfair to trash her specifically all across the board Germany had a colonial attitude towards eastern Europe while talking about European values when it suited them.
Well said: colonial attitude.
completely agree with it's China. I really think that what's going on is a WW3 of China against the Western democracies. Russia and Ukraine are proxies of that war. xi and Putin think that democracies are not the best form of government for the XXI century. autocracies / dictatorships are because of the necessity of making fast decisions in an ever fast moving World, scientifically and technological speaking. Of course they are wrong. in a so fast world, democracies with their multi neuronal decisions are the best suited to provide the best political, social and economic decisions.
this is not saying that democracies don't have problems. inequality and to much power in corporate or individual interesses are a few.
It is opportunistic and irresponsible to place the future of Germany and EU energy and economic security in the hands of the authoritarian evil twins Russia and China.
She along with the GREENS in Europe are handicapping themselves while Russia and China laugh all the way to the bank. ALEX EPSTEIN 's "Fossil Future" on sale now June,2022
The best Russian agent that got into power
Her friend is in Gazprom right now
Very true. It was so frustrating watching her idiocy year in year out.
@@ValMartinIreland why blame her after whole collective west dance like a Puppets of United States??
Many KGBs in Germany
She was Putin's best friend in Europe!!!
she is made filty rich from putin......
She still is :-)
Hello Teresa how are you doing today and your family?
She's going to be remembered as the second coming of Neville Chamberlin.
There’s lots of ‘blame’ to go around, but how about we have much less of that, and a lot more action to repel Russian aggression? The blame game isn’t helpful, at all.
Holding politicians accountable for poor decisions that negatively affect the lives of millions is something that should happen more, not less.
I only agree in that the blame that has to go around is followed up on completely - after the conclusion of the war. Those who need to be held up to account MUST happen - but it is secondary to focusing on the conclusion of the war.
@@timothylinn While that is certainly correct, there is a proper time and place for that. The crime needs to be stopped first. This needs all the focus and effort right now, every moment's delay is a needlessly bloody one.
@@jbdbean242 Agreed. There is nothing in my comment to suggest otherwise.
I always had a great admiration for her, not anymore. A necessary characteristic of any great leader she is lacking now is the ability to assume his/her own mistakes, and her gas policy were a major gigantic mistake.
Wait to see the others
100%
Her policies were admirable. But now she's retired. Nothing can be changed
So I watched the whole interview, which is over an hour, and I disagree with you here.
She explained herself quite well and her points are comprehensible.
@@inimeneinimene463 Surely becoming dependent on Russian gas was not admirable. She is retired, true, but retired politicians are still very influential indeed.
"the only language he understands, anyways, is detterence"...
Apparently not!
The only language Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin understands is strength. The West tried to 'deter' Putin with sanctions... sanctions!
Otto von Bismarck said that a conquering army at the border cannot be stopped with eloquence.
Finally someone who understands Putin. Putin understood he couldn't allow Nato to be at his door step
@@miguelfuerte2865 Putin bears full responsibility for this War that is infront of us today. But NATO also has a bit of blame to take. I do not agree with Putin's strategy, but I understand it.
While NATO was not talking about expansion into CIS (Ex-USSR alliance), then no conflicts from Putin until 2008 when NATO expressed wish to expand. And Putin had warned about CIS red lines in Munich in 2007 beforehand
@@babblo1389 indeed Putin did warn at Munich '07. In '08, NATO did vocally proclaim that Ukraine & Georgia would become members one day, that was an empty promise. But let's keep in mind that 10 nations joined NATO from 1999-2004.
I am not a Putin-apologist, I am pro-NATO & Democracy but NATO & the West has some blame with this new European War.
Would you like your neighbour to park around your house?
How lame can you be when you spent your entire time making Europe and your country more vulnerable to the Russians and then to offer these platitudes
Hello Linda how are you doing today and your family?
Well, maybe she could have steered Germany away from dependence on Russian energy? Just maybe?
as sanctions demonstrate, dependence is a two-way street. economic sanctions are the tool being used to help fight this war against russia. I happen to prefer this as the "safer" option than direct military action against an unhinged nuclear foe. I believe this is the better option for global post-war recovery.
Putin laughs when he sees Europe going GREEN. Russia,China and India are going to do what they want not what someone tells them to do.
This war is her legacy, period.
Deflecting and hindsight reasoning is easy. She still fails to see how energy dependency and blind faith in Putin's intentions to stand by the Minsk agreement enabled Putin to do what he is doing now.
I agree. She went with what was easiest.Germany also prevented Ukraine joining Nato which would have safeguarded Ukraines position. Considering she came from East Germany you think she would have had more sympathy with Ukraine and scepticism of long term intentions.
Minsk was a shameful debacle, an absolute travesty of justice, reason, and basic humanity. They knew Putin was a murderous, corrupt, greedy baaastad whose word means nothing. But they served up Ukrainians anyway, effectively saying, "Yeah, we know he beat you up and murdered some of your children, but he said you just made him mad and promised not to do it again if you're nice to him. Besides, he's giving us stuff."
Her blind faith( is there any other kind?) in GREEN policies enabled Putin to take control. SELF inflicted same as what Biden is doing in US.
Politicians worry way too much about how people view their legacy. You never hear one of them say, at the time I thought I was doing what is best. Looking back in hindsight however, I screwed up.
Just looking at Angelas face question pops up: has she had any sober days recently??
Relax, Angela, nobody cares about you legacy. In fact we totally forgot about you
First rule of politics. When some good happens its all your doing, when something bad happens its never your fault. That's why we have so many second rate "leaders" in this world.
Very hard to impossible to admit failures -- the bigger the ego and insecure the person is the harder it is. She seems to have plenty of both.
Agreed! Thankfully she's gone
We will see how Putin will justify all the damage he has brought upon his people with this absolutely sensless war…….
She made so many mistakes that weakened Europe as a whole and still refuses to own up to them, pathetic leader and character...
Wouldn't be surprised if she's blaming Ukraine right now for turning her legacy
What does she mean by "I stepped down as Chancellor by choice".
Her term was up as stated by the German Constitution. She seems to have a huge ego from her time as leader. PS, noone should forget that NordStream2 terminated in a German town within her own constituency. This should have been a conflict of interest from the beginning.
_"Her term was up as stated by the German Constitution."_ That's right. B.t.w. if I'm not wrong:
Putin's term was up as stated by the Russian Constitution. He didn't step down, instead he changed the constitution. Wasn't there something about that, or am I completely mistaken? If I'm right we can interpret Merkel's words as meaning _"I chose not to become a selfappointed dictator."_
@@larsrons7937 That's exactly what she was implying. She's saying "I was so popular I could have stayed on even it meant changing the constitution." - Which I don't think is true bcos she is increasingly unpopular as we learn what her deals with Russia led us to.
Merkel’s policies gave Putin a head start.
I would say Trump gave him the sonic boost.
(Edit)
Very Googleable fact: Trump withheld military aid to Ukrainians because he wanted Zelensky to investigate the Bidens.
She was thinking by not allowing Ukraine to join NATO will resolve this problem she was wrong
@@GraniteInTheFace Trump warned Germany not to be dependent on Russian energy.
@@GraniteInTheFace That'd be the president who gave Crimea and Donbass to Putin.
@@GraniteInTheFace Wrong.
How disappointing. I would have really respected her if she took some accountability.
Expect a politicians to admit mistakes😆
@@braxxian Occasionally you'll see it from retired politicians lol. But yeah if you're running for re-election, you basically can't or you'll be guaranteed to have it taken out of context and used against you :P
She should simply never show up in public.
are you GERMAN?!
@@HanSolo__ oh yeah she has to take your permission hhhhh🤡
Her policy was catastrophic.
Everyday you see the bully in the school yard and everyday you go out of your way to avoid him...but he always finds you and he always tries to draw you into a fight. Sooner or later you will have to fight...there is no other choice.
Lol what are you rambling about ? You’ve been getting bullied, suck it up
@@alantorres2256 you are clueless
I absolutely agree. It may be hard for many, and there will be certainly a few bruises and cuts past back-and-forth, but long-term it is far better to put down the bully once and for all to show their true weakness, rather than letting them walk all over you for ever and living with the consequences for the rest of your life in your mind and body.
@@alantorres2256 It means it’s time to take the fight to the bully rather than being cowards and trying to avoid them in fear of getting hurt. Basically, we need to take the flight to Russia’s leaders to put them down once and for all. This is a fight that has literally been 100 years in the making. Many knew it at the end of World War II, but we didn’t want to face it because it was easier to look away to end the war then. Now, even after the collapse of the Soviet Union, we are still facing that same enemy underneath. It never went away, it simply changed its face. It’s time to do this NOW. WE ARE OUT OF TIME TO BE COWARDS.
@@danielwhyatt3278 nobody is holding you back? I’ve never been bullied by Russia or had any problems. I don’t mess with them and they don’t mess with me. If you’re so eager to fight, why aren’t you? They’ve been accepting volunteers for months now, what are you waiting for. Practice what you preach .
Nothing but an excuse, and excluding Ukraine and Georgia from nato might have been an order from putin
Weird that it was her time when Russia already invaded Ukraine and Georgia, and Germany still went to sign Nord stream 2.
Putin's chief collaborator in Germany. She maybe remembered as Germany 's Stanley Baldwin .
She will be forever my Chancellor
Yet you did business with him and empowered him
Angela maintained peace for 16 years. She did her job. She wasn't in office during the start of the war. It doesn't fall on her. Blame Brussels, London and Washington.
Any regrets regarding supporting the Nord Stream 1 and 2 projects as "purely business" undertakings? Any regrets regarding lack of gas diversification? If Europe would have had the option to quickly substitute the Russian gas and oil, Putil would be forced to think twice before attacking... Now the EU is practically funding his war, because of this dependency...
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Well, why did she allow Nordstrem 2 to continue after Putin invaded in 2014?
She gave russia the keys to her house but says she did nothing wrong as he goes into the house and sets it on fire
She failed to identify the snake. She opened the EU up to blackmail by making it so dependent on Russian energy.
She didn’t do it . It was way back when . Also what would the alternative have been ? Other then full green energy or nuclear power which after Chernobyl is sketchy at best
@@dacadz and she made no effort to end it. Maybe because the initial glue used to hold the progenetor EU together was coal and steel. The theory being, codependence made war impossible. The flaw in the argument is when the codependence becomes monstrously asymmetric.
I believe Gerhart Schroeder started that little earner !
@@dacadz Yet they are now magically able to drastically cut imports by the end of the year. Not so dependent after all...?
come one everyone was the same if u remember the prevailing thinking. Germany was hardly alone and she was far from the worst
The KGB men, with Putin being their front men, worked for the last 20 yrs at restoring the great Russian empire. They played the west well but now made a fatal mistake by underestimating it and Ukraine's resolve.
Unfortunately for some people, he calculated these unfolding events quite well and was prepared for this war, but Europe wasn’t. EU decided to push Russians and they didn’t succeed, ruble is growing, as well as oil and gas prices. And without European market Russia won’t suffer, now it’s focusing on relationship with India and China, so the war for Ukrainians is a catastrophe, but US and EU continue to destroy their ‘friend’. Great job, guys!
Ukraine is gone as you will soon have to admit.
@@rons5319 don't think so. The West will supply enough weapons to exhaust Russia and weaken it until they can't fight no more. The goal is to avoid ww3 by supplying too many weapons too quickly.
Dude, Putin has 20% of Ukraine. He never made any error. He is at war with both Ukraine and NATO.
@@rond5936 will see
It's time for France and Germany to provide more military aid to Ukraine. The U.S and the U.K have done an admirable job in providing the necessary technology to help Ukraine defend themselves.
It’s not help! They are SELLING that weaponry, not gifting! Why do you think everyone is so pushing that grain to leave Ukraine? That’s some of the payment for the weapons! And later would be decades if not a hundred years of repayments! That’s what Poroshenko and Zelenskiy are doing for Ukraine! Ruining it! If not already ruined😏
The war is between US and Russia.....allothers have not much influence. UK. Is,a part of USA.....think
I don't think she would have had the public support given Germany's past; even Scholz has tread lightly...and slowly. Germany's energy dependence on Russian oil and gas on the other hand, even after Putin's aggressions in Georgia and Crimea, was wishful thinking and short-sighted.
German GDP has been growing nicely over the last decade.
New policy will probably bring a stagnation if not a recession
Nice way to say GREEDY
2 months ago Scholz said they are able to cut the oil in 3 weeks and gas in 5 weeks +
Imagine he is not able to process tanks he promised Poland when we passed 240 T-72M1 to Ukraine. Of course, this is in large part idiocy of Kaczyński but Scholz should push it to the realization no matter how.
@@inimeneinimene463 More like 2,5 decades.
It was Georgia's President's idea to start attacking the southern Georgia .He had studied in US and was influenced b
IT WILL HAVE NEVER HAPPEN
He doesn't need to destroy Europe, you did it already.
Putin began his KGB career in East Germany. He made a lot of old friends very rich.
Both old school communists at heart.
@@AstroGremlinAmerican They are both as far away from communism as its gets.
@@AstroGremlinAmerican Laughable
@@AstroGremlinAmerican Rubbish!
_"...to try and engage him (Putin) through what she called dialogue thinking that that would be the answer."_
Haven't I heard that before? Something connected to a _"peace in our time"_ statement? In the late 1930's?
Perhaps that's what we should expect from a person with the *courage and firmness of a wet noodle.*
And you are Helping him to do it hypocrite
I can understand why Nordstream 2 would have been a good idea proximity etc..BUT.. Not having a back up plan to keep Russia on its toes ..is what I don't understand!!
Now they all trying to be smart but before they were blindfolded with easy money!
They had a complete backup plan. 100% energy independence with Nuclear Energy.
She is explicitly and exclusively responsible for dismantling that.
@@w-4258 The gas is mostly needed for industrial use, so nuclear plants are useless for that. And even for electricity, they're much more expensive to build and operate than gas plants or (especially) wind & solar plants. Nuclear is a dead technology for mainstream use. It's currently backfiring for France - their old plants are increasingly becoming a burden.
@@faultier1158
How do you classify industrial use?
Don't bother, I know you wont answer that; since it betrays your dishonesty.
@@w-4258 Gas is currently the only viable way to reach the temperatures needed for furnaces in the steel industry, for example.
Same for the chemical industry, except that it's also needed as an ingredient.
There are concepts of transitioning these sectors to "power to gas", but that's going to be a massive undertaking that will take decades.
Ukraine saying it wanted to join Nato was the trigger for all of this. The relationship between Russia and the EU was never great, it was strictly business and it worked. I feel like this war only benefits the US as it made the EU more dependent of them. Without Europe, the is no American empire.
Rubbish! Putrid Putin has lost the plot, he is a dictator and a war criminal…. Over the past 30 years Putin and his cronies from the KGB / FSB have plundered their country and eliminated all opposition in Russia. Simple as that.
Merkel's family moved from Hamburg to East Berlin when most German migration was in the opposite direction...
Our allies and partners...all fcuked by big bad bear.
Her time in power was mostly good for Germany, although on Putin and policies towards Russia history will not absolve her. She contributed significantly to the West's placating of Putin which emboldened him and now Ukraine is paying a heavy price.
What should the West do now? War? Show the Power of the West full force
Her time in power going GREEN enabled Putin to literally be able to turn off a tap and kill people.
When has Germany ever done anything good for Europe?
Germony is the Paymaster for Europe from the beginning !
She sounds like a bad boss. There for the money and to take credit for other people's work. But doesn't want to take responsibility when their decisions lead to problems. So in short a politician.
Her Legacy is Economy first and morals left behind... For very long I felt as member of EU that there is only one ethics existing.. price of oil.. and we can criticise her now but everybody in Europe was buying it.. Why She would do anything different when everything worked well.. Polish president flue to Georgia when it was attacked.. Paranoic.. He died in plain 'Crush' IN RUSSIA.. We were not allowed to investigate openly.. No support from west.. Almost nobody even in Poland believed it wasn't an accident.. Everybody wanted to simply trade with Russia.. All inconvenience was swept under the carpet.. Don't blame her now..
Yeah, Russia isn’t a valid country now. It is a rogue terrorist state
the addict also buys drugs with joy. Let's not judge drug dealers
@@vitaliivasenkov5202 What I was Saying is more like... Everybody knows what a drug diler does.. Everybody quietly accepts it, even some loudly applaud.. then some addicted dies.. What does everybody.. ? Blame the diler..
That is not Just or Truthful.. That is Washing of Your hands..
Really? The Polish president was killed in a plane crash in Russia and they didn't let Poland in to investigate? I never even heard of that here in the US news. What year did this happen 2008? Usually they let investigators from 3 countries come to the crash site to find out what happened. The country where the plane crashed, the country of the people killed in the crash, and investigators from where the plane was designed and built, for example if it was a Boeing aircraft then people from the USA... I'm not sure which European country makes Airbus, but it would have been people from there...Putin has been up to no good for a long time. Poland has been warning everyone for a while. It's just a shame that it took a major war in Europe for the rest of NATO to listen...
@@snapdragon6601 In 2010 He was going to commemorate polish soldiers (some 22000) who were killed buy Soviets doring WW2 in Katyn (Captured or other officials arrested and then ordered by Stalin to be kilelled.. not like kileed in the battle). (Which Russia still doesn't acknowledge, well they actually did in 2010 after the president died but still many officials deny it).
It was an OLD Tupolew so Russians can say they have sent their man to it ;-)
For example we still didn't get the wreck of the plain.. and it was simply left outside to rotten..
To be clear.. Polish side was allowed to investigate.. but we did not have the authority to conduct investigative actions.. The Polish investigation results were to be based in part on Russian findings..
You can imagine many felt dissatisfied.. I'm not sure how much we should be allowed, but what we were was after long disputes.. We Felt cut off from it and mostly double checking..
You recognize psychopaths by the trail of destruction they leave behind.
And they absolutely never apologize.
Yeah, Putin will definitely not apologize
Not only her but the whole stoic Germany will never admit to any wrongdoing
You know there is a massive Holocaust memorial right in the German capital city?
Honestly your opinion might be the dumbest thing I will read this week.
I find it funny that now she is claiming this, when she allowed Germany to be dependant on Russia's gas.
ALEX EPSTEIN 's "Fossil Future"on sale now June,2022
Last time I heard that argument, it was about the Germans and it was in English. Peace in our time. Only stopped the war for about 6 months.
Appeasing dictators never works, just ask Neville Chamberlin.
That's why Russia stopped appeasing the Evil 🏳️🌈 countries that were never thankful and always pushed their 🏳️🌈 everywhere possible.
Liberal Democracies with pushy agendas have become a byword in many countries
In a way she’s one. 19 years what works did she do that benefit the masses
Thats Good News giving us an open dialogue to How Russia under Putin is !!! , Now it's time Germany does more in sending Arms NOW and ONGOING to Ukraine so it can defend itself , NO More talk No More Delay ...
This is Serious
It's clear that she is a politician, not a leader who has vision for humanity. The problem is not just Putin, it 's the ideology that he and many people believe.
We always hope that other people think like us. I think she felt that by including Russia with business, they would change - the same with China. However, looking back it is clear that this is not the case. They have not mellowed and are not democracies and are not progressive.
Putin's ambitions are far beyond from being just a eastern European's gas commissar.
German people are to blame for this war
So why China has to change? Does they need to invade Iraq, Syria, Lybia, Afghanistan... and other countless victims? They still the most peaceful between superpowers.
Well it did make them more like us, in a sense. The livelihoods of ordinary Chinese improved, and so did the rest of the world benefit from cheaper prices and we managed to focus on higher ends of the supply chain. Globalisation has indeed benefitted the world, regardless of whether you expect the other Govt to become more “like” you or not.
What do you expect. If they don't trade with China, which country can replace China. Trump tariffs have given opportunity for other countries to take advantage but none can really impress except may be COMMUNIST Vietnam
Written in 1855 (Crimean War)
"This then is my creed. I look upon Russia as the personification of despotism :
in the present state of Poland and Hungary we see her work.
Such a power can be curbed only by war, and must be curbed sooner or later, if Europe is to remain free.
If we believe that God wills the liberty and happiness of mankind, how can we doubt that we are doing God's work in fighting for liberty against aggression"
John Bright MP was pro-Russian, and replied (1855) :-
"I go against fighting for Hungary or any other country.....by perfecting our own institutions, by promoting intelligence, morality and health......we shall do more for humanity"
John Bright also acknowledged - "It is a delusion to think you can take guarantees from Russia", and he suggested that "The Russian power was a phantom".
170yrs later, and Russia is still at it.
Vinm - thanks for sharing this - please keep coming up with these gems.
Yep
Lol British Empire in 19th century wasn't better
@@arty5876 but the British “aren’t still at it.” See the difference?
Otto Von Bismark said to never believe a Russian because they don't even believe themselves.