Is it all Angela Merkel's fault? Putin, Trump and her Memoirs | Berlin Briefing Podcast

[@artturretje423]

It's not only that she threw Ukr under the bus, she also made the 180° turn on nucl energy so that Germany could start burning browncoal, it's letting 950.000 Syrians in and much more... but ofc she plays now the innocence card: no idea of responsibility in her mind

[@167mm167]

BUT ..she was elected by German people ...right ??

[@ragingmonk6080]

Ukraine got its independence in 1991. I know because I was a US Army Military Police in Germany when it happened. I helped German police round up illegal Russians and Ukrainians. Ukr threw itself under the bus. It had from 1991 until 2014 to build its defenses but it is too corrupt. It still had from 2014 until Feb. 22, 2022 to build its defenses and it was still too corrupt. Ukraine is to blame for Ukraine and nobody else. We owe them nothing and do not want them. If I had been told no by NATO and EU as many times as Ukr. My pride would make me stop asking. They have none.

[@rubiconklbrutorowman7577]

Amen to that and I hope U consider reading my comment above. US Army Infantry veteran with 50 plus years of very well rounded education. It is a bit long, but content has a merit to deserve anyone's time in my humble view. Ths!

[@hangender]

Yea she's turned German back decades with her policies

[@antonio3220]

The issue is not so much that she made a mistake but rather than she does not have the humility and self awareness to admit she made a mistake.

[@167mm167]

looks you forget that she was elected (3 times ?) by German people ...not by Russia people !!

[@rubiconklbrutorowman7577]

Amen to that and I hope U consider reading my comment above. US Army Infantry veteran with 50 plus years of very well rounded education. It is a bit long, but content has a merit to deserve anyone's time in my humble view. Ths!

[@martineden8389]

Germany only switched from its dependency on Russia to a complete dependency on the US... so they're paying more for the gas only to please the Americans, and that's what led to de-industrialization

[@KarolyHeinrich]

beside her absolut responsibility in the Ukrainian war, we also can thank for her the enormous illegal migration crisis all over Europe.

[@Mr.Altavoz]

Not to mention that we lost the UK because of her, the atom energy,a very weak military 🎖️🪖 I mean the list is long. She's lying , selling her f.book😮 acknowledging nothing.

[@rubiconklbrutorowman7577]

Amen to that and I hope U consider reading my comment above. US Army Infantry veteran with 50 plus years of very well rounded education. It is a bit long, but content has a merit to deserve anyone's time in my humble view. Ths!

[@MauniVilla88]

Unfortunately, YES, she was naive relying that much on Russia. Also: I am pro Ukraine and I live in the EU, HOWEVER, European security should be in the hands of Europe, not fully on a third party like USA. European peace of mind should not rely on a few swing states thousands of miles away in another country, that is pathetic. It's time for Europe to step it up.

[@Keralaforum]

"she was naive relying that much on Russia. " . That you are saying now -- Had no backbone to say this during 2000-2018. Russophobia is a fashion today. Popular European theme.

[@Instigator-vy9jd]

@@Keralaforum she kept the peace.. she was successful...

[@univeropa3363]

No. The mistake was and has always been pushing NATO towards the Russian border.

[@washuneluvhada7616]

You are deluded. Russia & Germany were not expecting a CIA funded regime change, directed by senator Victoria Nuland, in Ukraine with Stepan Bandera followers as scapegoats in February 2014, hence Russi encroached upon Crimea in response leading to the current conflict. American LNG is triple the price, & they evidently sabotaged Nordstream so Germany has no choice. Your intellect is lacking.

[@phillB]

As an American, I could not agree more. Late is better than never, just barely, but it is still better.

[@elhandle316]

What’s wrong with Germans and Germany? Talk, talk, talk, blame, complain, blame, complain … blame China, blame Putin, blame Angela, blame immigrants … yes, congrats, those will solve your problems.

[@MarkHansonDEU]

Germany 🇩🇪: *breathes* @elhandle316 be like: How dare you 😡

[@TheStudio-div]

if you go to China is all blame US though. Same with Russia, will mention it all UK US fault.

[@alexbowey2760]

yes Germany sold Ukraine down the river for cheap gas

[@gaborrajnai6213]

Do Germany owes Ukraine anything?

[@hfmkkskpo4127]

@@gaborrajnai6213 No, Germany does not owes Ukraine anything. Germany used to be a great country. That's why falling like a clown. Stop acting like the leader of Europe because you do not owes anyone, no belief, hidding behind US.

[@fakkel321]

@@gaborrajnai6213 After ww2 in cases like this i think you do !

[@kiskawillis]

@@gaborrajnai6213 Yup, refer to the Budapest agreement. Also, take a minute to educate yourself on how wars in Europe start and how to prevent them. Lack of education and critical thinking in today's world is the worst kind of pandemic.

[@gudini2559]

@@kiskawillis The Budapest Memorandum (the legal meaning of any memorandum is not familiar to you) loses its force after the coup d'etat in Ukraine with the help of the United States, as recognized by V. Nuland. But the main answer is that Ukraine did not have the right to join any military bloc after gaining independence. All subsequent agreements with Russia lose their force after amendments to the constitution and the desire to join NATO. Within the framework of international agreements and laws, Russia has every right to act as it currently does, therefore, sanctions are imposed by individual countries, but cannot be imposed by the UN, as they will be illegal under world laws

[@lleong666]

Somehow she is not innocent in this Russia Ukraine war.

[@putinhuylo5404]

@@omarayoubi7861 That because she is from the stasi

[@Blanka1100]

@@omarayoubi7861 Putin can take his toys out of Ukraine anytime. Did he? Stop blaming others for helping a victim.

[@AbuBawa-sw1ut]

​​@@Blanka1100clown,Russia have not invaded when they were buying time to pump weapons in to Ukraine,so who was the victim at the time?

[@Paerigos]

@@omarayoubi7861 And then proceeded to gut and almost abolish Bundeswehr... and her germany didnt sell Ukriane a single shotgun in whole 8 years...

[@TheAndropoff]

Guilty of the fall of Europe...

[@didixtar2863]

Yes, it is her fault

[@Jocky8807]

How so?

[@EnhancedNightmare]

Angela was master of sweeping dirt under the carpet. Now they have to deal with that xD

[@167mm167]

looks you forget that she was elected (3 times ?) by German people ...not by Russia people !!

[@rubiconklbrutorowman7577]

Amen to that and I hope U consider reading my comment above. US Army Infantry veteran with 50 plus years of very well rounded education. It is a bit long, but content has a merit to deserve anyone's time in my humble view. Ths!

[@RickRoss440]

Yes she was a total disaster

[@Keralaforum]

RickRoss, So Germans who elected her 2000-2018 must be bigger fools ?

[@alexlong3714]

Under her Leadership, Germany was Europe's Industrial powerhouse. She even managed to bring EU out of the Global Financial Crisis, with Germany strong financial standing at the time. No? Merkel's governments managed the global 2007-2008 financial crisis and the European debt crisis. She negotiated the 2008 European Union stimulus plan, which focused on infrastructure spending and public investment to counteract the Great Recession.

[@gudini2559]

For 40 years, Russia has been the most reliable supplier of resources to Germany. With these resources, Germany has become the locomotive of Europe. The United States wanted to destroy these agreements in order to sell its liquefied natural gas. They succeeded, so we see how companies go bankrupt in Germany, how they transport production to the USA and China. Just keep thinking that the United States brings you prosperity. At this rate, Germany will turn into a country of the 3rd echelon in a decade.

[@167mm167]

looks you forget that she was elected (3 times ?) by German people ...not by Russia people !!

[@rubiconklbrutorowman7577]

Amen to that and I hope U consider reading my comment above. US Army Infantry veteran with 50 plus years of very well rounded education. It is a bit long, but content has a merit to deserve anyone's time in my humble view. Ths!

[@univeropa3363]

No, Bush, Obama, Trump, Biden and Scholz also share blame.

[@derwolfpack3599]

Only PUTIN is to blame.

[@sp7873]

dont forget Putin

[@univeropa3363]

@@sp7873 He told us starting in 2007 that our policy was a mistake.

[@derwolfpack3599]

@@univeropa3363 So what? So now he gets to attack western Europe? Do what Putin says or else? The west is not as gutless as Putler thought. Whos fault is that?

[@pekkoh75]

USA and even Ukraine did not take the NATO membership seriously enough. You cannot waffle and wait around. When you make the bid, you and everyone else has to be ready at that moment. Clock is ticking. For an example of a well-managed NATO membership under (some) threat, look at Finland. And of course the Baltics when you have the foresight. But of course it is a bit late now. When we have the war already.

[@timmardon6161]

100% !!!! including all the total drama in Europe!! She should face some form of punishment!

[@RomanMakukhin]

She would be exchanged by putler for the POW's who currently truly defend Europe from the war and liars and spies like her.

[@167mm167]

looks you forget that she was elected (3 times ?) by German people ...not by Russia people !!

[@rubiconklbrutorowman7577]

Amen to that and I hope U consider reading my comment above. US Army Infantry veteran with 50 plus years of very well rounded education. It is a bit long, but content has a merit to deserve anyone's time in my humble view. Ths!

[@QuestCollot-]

Leave her alone

[@CyborgZeta]

Short answer: Ja

[@jakebe4915]

As an American, we are sick of paying for endless wars while people here live in tents. Not to mention the horrendous and dangerous illegal immigration on the southern border. Europe needs to pay up.

[@PKAPE004]

Don’t forget that many of the those wars initiated by the US. For example, both Iraq wars caused hundreds (if not millions) Iraqi deaths and displacements.

[@xena2559]

So far it was NATO forces that were involved in Iraq war with the US.

[@koraamis5568]

American wars that caused migrations.

[@raymobula]

The US wants to play world police - so then do it and pay, or stop it. You can’t have both. What about the US stops selling weapons to Mexican drug lords or cracks down on drugs in the US, so there is less demand? And yes, the world should care less what the US thinks and care more about their own business. US is not the center of the world.

[@chanjoe9244]

Then go and tell your so called democratic government！Then you will understand you are living in a warmongering country and basically you have no choice！

[@VodeniZeka]

Here's a hint for you "When two neighboring countries fight each other, just know the USA visited one of them" Nelson Mandela

[@paulcock8929]

Nordstream and a good economic relationship with Russia is a good thing. The migration politics was a disaster.

[@alexlong3714]

Had she managed the migration in a manner that meets German labor requirement to grow it economy. Not her blanket open-door policy,

[@electricink3908]

Russia is an existential threat to the civilised world.

[@dnpl7248]

The answer is YES

[@zeljkoc8878]

You just bow to US interests now blaming politicaly dead person.

[@marcomarek7734]

No why would it be her fault. Nonsense

[@marina1463]

Every one who believes putin is to blame

[@yaulkwong3775]

Also china

[@biswanathmukherjee4622]

Everyone who believes Western colonists is to blame.

[@kraiker9651]

"The minsk agreements were never to be implemented but to buy time for Ukraine to build an army" was literally her phrase to Die Zeit during an interview in 2022. It's not only her to blame but literally every country involved in this conflict

[@rubiconklbrutorowman7577]

Amen to that and I hope U consider reading my comment above. US Army Infantry veteran with 50 plus years of very well rounded education. It is a bit long, but content has a merit to deserve anyone's time in my humble view. Ths!

[@anjafark]

Russian fighters had absolute no right to be there in the first place.

[@andrewadams6905]

The minsk agreements never proposed to restore peace broken by Russia on February 27, 2014. And, Russia broke Minsk agreements immediately after agreed upon ceasefire (Feb 15, 2015) by continuing to attack Ukrainian town Debaltseve and capturing it on Feb 18, 2015.

[@kraiker9651]

@@andrewadams6905 I highly recommend you to read about Minsk agreements and UN reports over them. Russia was NEVER a part of this deal

[@kraiker9651]

@@anjafark and Ukraine has absolute no right to break deals and kill its own citizens. Two wrongs doesn't make it right

[@jackjhmc820]

So who blew up the pipe?

[@bellakrinkle9381]

The US and ? Biden admitted it in a sly fashion when or prior to the event.

[@167mm167]

who care about this !!

[@jackjhmc820]

@167mm167 every poor person and company who was greatly affected by the sudden rise in heating bills and electricity bills and those who faced extreme cold in winter because they couldn't afford to warm their homes? A gradual phasing out would not trigger a massive shortage and huge jump in prices.

[@rbb.828]

@@jackjhmc820it should have never been built

[@thegreatdane3627]

​@@jackjhmc820russia cut the gas supply to Germany about a month before the pipeline was damaged.

[@555usher]

They are now looking for someone to blame.

[@gaagsl]

Am I the only one who notices that we blame everybody and everything for Trump's victory except his supporters and the Republican Party?

[@gtaraya]

they looking for someone to blame now!😂

[@167mm167]

looks they forget that she was elected by German people ...

[@taxofonas]

Insightful commentary from Judy Dempsey!

[@ernestomatalsol6807]

“Merkel’s decision was a humanist one, a moral one and an ethical one. She should deserve a huge praise for doing this.” I am very familiar with that kind of personal’s decision.

[@smithb0134]

So why were over three quarters of them men? Women and children in war-torn countries always suffer more than men do. Merkel's decision had nothing to do with the kindness of her heart. It was purely economic. Germany is facing a demographic collapse, and she needs workers/consumers to overcome.

[@carlduplessis31]

What nonsense .” Each country has the right to join whomever they want “ Imagine if Cuba wants to join an alliance that is hostile to the US . The last time Cuba tried that the result was almost a nuclear war .

[@jaunt3603]

Castro wanted to do a preemptive nuclear strike. So um no.

[@imcbocian]

Nevertheless they joined that alliance. So what's your point? And, Ukraine wanted to join EU, not NATO. And EU for sure was not hostile towards Russia. Even though, as it turns out, it should have been

[@IvanLeonard-b7y]

That moment when you realise Cuba had an alliance with the Soviet Union throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s and currently has an alliance with Russia today. You are listening to people who don't know what they are talking about. The issue in 1962 was that Russia had placed NUCLEAR MISSILES in Cuba.

[@TheFirstTheLast-g4t]

@@imcbocian as recent as 2022, after Russia attacked Ukraine, the little Solomon island wanted to do a security deal with China and US/ Australia immediately threaten military action if they go ahead. I did not hear you stand up for sovereign right the little Solomon island to join whoever they want.

[@Jocky8807]

​@@imcbocianEU and nato was and is hostile to Russia. Didn't you read any news?

[@rosariovasta314]

Instead Blaming Merkel why don't blame on spineless Olaf

[@martavdz4972]

Lots of people are to blame.

[@kiskawillis]

Two sides of the same coin, you're right. Add Obama to that list, and frankly even Biden at this point and his useless advisors with no spine

[@kiskawillis]

Russia is tangled in its red lines like twisted French knickers. I long for a day when we no longer need to glorify them or rely on the cliché of Russian villains in Hollywood movies.

[@xyz-gn6xq]

Ukraine is alleged to have blown up Nordstream energy pipelines leading to German economic recession by German authorities and DW blames German leader for Ukraine situation. Who runs DW?

[@Blanka1100]

Putin did what he did because Germany let him believe it would me easy with all that German money and influence.

[@1290DR]

"Germany became dependend on China for trade, on russia for gas and on the US for security" - well a country which doesn't have any natural ressources to generate it's on energy, has a rather small population on the global comparison to produce EVERYTHING it would need to sustain or even create its prosperity and teaches his population from the earliest ages on how bad the military is an noone should ever work for the military sector will need people and countries to compensate for these natural and self-made short-comings and therefor will ALWAYS depend on others just as every human being always depends on other people... I am a big of Angela Merkels foreign politics the only thing she could be blamed for is that she never managed or cared to built up a successor who would be able to coordinate this insanely complex system she has created for germany (to bring it to the top of europe and this world) and that she never cared for the inner politics of germany and therefor neglected the development of the german people... But it is also NEVER a single persons fault... Just to contradict this populists heading....

[@Ron-hj1or]

Markel is to blame to many things. Wir schaffen das….. NOT

[@nomarini]

Yes. She is guilty. And blood of innocents on her arms.

[@herbertvanlynden6629]

Always asking the wrong question. It's the fault of the USA. Better do your homework first. Listen to Mearsheimer.

[@3markaw]

Mearsheimer is a fool and what about you ?

[@petsku5520]

It was a blue eyed politics, but crook is a crook that wouldn't change.

[@senethys]

The lack of self criticism is astounding. There is no value of self reflection of the choices that have been made or where they led us?

[@rubiconklbrutorowman7577]

Amen to that and I hope U consider reading my comment above. US Army Infantry veteran with 50 plus years of very well rounded education. It is a bit long, but content has a merit to deserve anyone's time in my humble view. Ths!

[@sydca5365]

Give it a bit more time, you will see more recrimination and finger-pointing within EU.

[@slavenaljinovic1162]

Why wasnt Russia invited into NATO during Gorbachov or Yeltsin periods? Because various warmongers in NATO wanted to keep their nice salaries.

[@nolan485]

Easy. For the very same reason it carefully decided not to offer a Marshall Plan but instead secured the nukes and the livelihoods of certain scientist and companies but not others. I'll let you draw the wrong conclusions.

[@MrElliotc02]

It sort of was. Look it up.

[@slavenaljinovic1162]

@@MrElliotc02 Its a well known fact that Putin openly asked Clinton is there a possibility of Russia to join NATO. Clintons clear answer was NO. Instead Clinton and the warmongers were bent on keeping Russia as the eternal Cold War enemy in order to Enrico themselves

[@thinktwice-me7ie]

Judy is great!

[@anneli4441]

Thanks for very interesting discussions. Best wishes from Norway

[@yaqoobattal]

Do you guys still consider it a question of who is responsible? Russia has stated a thousand times and the whole Europe knows who is responsible for the war in Ukraine. US and Allies

[@Blanka1100]

Russia needs excuses, Russia always blames her victms. Russia invaded Ukraine.

[@rogerbrownreacts8528]

Reality check a Ghostwriter wrote her book off of notes and a interview.

[@zacsamuel7295]

Excellent and informative discussion. Hats off to the moderator!

[@ausermane5926]

Enjoyed this one and all the BB podcasts so far actually. Michaela is insightful and an excellent mediator.

[@frankcienciala3328]

The legacy of Germany's very long standing favouritism of Russia is the distance of trust between Germany and its neighbours to the east. Poles for example distrust Germans to the same level they distrust Russia.

[@DaniRaj666]

Finland tried the same! Finlandization, friendship through trade, even appeasing and "special" neighborly relationship...then we had to join NATO and re-arm in all ways against that tyrannical, fascist. imperialist, genocidal cesspool of terror and criminality.

[@DaniRaj666]

@@koiguidenishikigoi4972 Yes appeasing was very wrong. Right decision is to aid Ukraine militarily and economically.

[@DavidGBlair]

80 years of peace and prosperity. Who wants that?

[@DaniRaj666]

@@DavidGBlair Putin definitely doesn't. His imperialist agenda triggered the NATO option. Putin has never dared to invade a NATO country. And most likely never will...A bully and a deluded coward.

[@koiguidenishikigoi4972]

@@DavidGBlair so Korea Vietnam Iran Iraq Libya Afghan was all peace or do you only count the white coloured part of the world.

[@DavidGBlair]

@ 80 years for Finland

[@stuartsinclair-smith9140]

The comment that no plans are being made is ignorance or a lie. I was a reserve army officer cadet almost 30 years ago, and we were taught to make three plans to take a bridge, then eliminate the least effective plans

[@DoubtingTom]

Clever you....

[@stuartsinclair-smith9140]

@DoubtingTom thank you

[@hansmarheim7620]

The time has come for Europe to unite with all our wonderful differences. One Europe. One people. time has as come to stand together as one.

[@praguesowkowns489]

German did good for EU countries because Russia was opposite joining Ukraine to nato. There would have war before. Germany played great role to control war with Russia. You people bring neutral analysis person who will tell truth. Not proxy person.

[@eckhardkemp6899]

Russia's army was highly overrated and a war with NATO would have been ended after 2 weeks with a total defeat of Russia.

[@rickyzhang]

Affirmative.

[@robertpatrick3350]

Not only..,,,Given the amount of senior German leaders who benefited from Gazprom directorships and money (and other Russian state entities)….. Germany’s leadership has been subordinate to Russia for decades…..

[@MrNeversweat]

If I understand correctly they have to be subordinate to the USnot Russia

[@yumsimple6113]

But people voted her, even 3 times😅😂

[@jupitergpb1432]

NATO is a institute for blackmail other countries. If you don't want pay rent so nato make you think twice.

[@imcbocian]

What rent are you talking about? There is no rent to nato

[@DoubtingTom]

No merit in self-criticism!!!! Of course there is, and considering the dismal state of the Bundeswehr after her years in charge, her share of the blame is considerable

[@MKSense1]

Another indolence here. So in 2008 the invitation was not OK but now after you "discover" the real plan of Russia you are OK with it. I didn't know that Germans are so slippery.

[@josephodiase174]

Definitely not , USA military infrastructure complex faults totally

[@Mutineer9]

LoL, Germany never had pro Russian policy. Germany declare war on Russia practically after reunion. Germany did know that condition of it reunification was NATO non expansion, but it voted for NATO expansion at first possible moment. It break conditions of it reunification as fast as possible!!!

[@evehawasinare228]

Angela Markel will be remembered in history as one of the most effective leaders of Germany. In my view, Germany would not have self sanctioned Germany from cheap gas if she was still the leader of Germany. Nordstream pipeline would not have been blown up.

[@JustMichael51083]

😂🤦‍♂️

[@RomanMakukhin]

She was an effective kgb agent indeed

[@nonameman9585]

buahahahahahahahahahahah

[@johntucker5994]

Nonsense. Despite warnings from the U.S. and other European she made Germany vulnerable to Russian energy blackmail.

[@nomarini]

Yes. Great time of muslimisation in German society. Good work for the country.😂

[@zdravkojasovic9397]

Support Russia 🇷🇺, Support BRICS,

[@smithb0134]

I love brics. My house is made of at least a million brics.

[@JJ-hi4gh]

If Germany really wanted Nato expansion into Ukraine, Merkel's policy of economic co operation with Russia was wrong. But if Germany wanted keeping their word of no more Nato expansion towards the east, her approch was correct and made sense. Who is actually wrong then.. Merkal or her present day critics?

[@RomanMakukhin]

Don't mix Germany with a kgb agent who brought Germany to disaster. Just see how DB and Lufthansa started failing under her and continue to be the worst transport cases.

[@Blanka1100]

Nato expanson is bs excuse for Putin. He wants Ukraine as a part of Russia and he knew he could invade and try to overrun non Nato Ukraine only. Blaming Ukraine for its will to join Nato is like blaming a victim for calling the police. Ukraine had no will to join before 2014 so Russia should look in the mirror. And had no chance to join after 2014. Putin invaded anyway. It is about his legacy. Every dictator needs excuses.

[@AbuBawa-sw1ut]

Her critics

[@petergreenwood7731]

JFK -- JUNE 10, 1963 Nuclear powers must avert those confrontations which bring an adversary to a choice of either humiliating defeat or nuclear war. To adopt that kind of course in the nuclear age would be evidence of the bankruptcy of our policy -- or a collective death wish for the world

[@rui.craveiro]

So, is it better to be subject to nuclear blackmail? I don't think so. The reason why we didn't get WWIII during the cold war was not because of this appeasement theory (which led to Russia invading Ukraine), but because of MAD. Peace happens through deterrence, not through weakness.

[@Paerigos]

well - and what should a non-nuclear entity like Ukraine do? Surrender and submit to Russia?

[@petergreenwood7731]

@@Paerigos NATO expansion into Ukraine is what JFK warned against. Do not put a nuclear power into a position of humiliating defeat or ...........

[@Paerigos]

@@petergreenwood7731 Well - Russia should have then accepted in 1990s that Ukraine is absolutely sovereign non-russian nation, accepted Ukrainian nationalism, accepted that Ukrainians will forever blame them for centuries of genocidal opression like Holodmor and russification, and that Ukrainian will always have only contempt for them. You can say that Cubans view USA same way, but its only like 50 years of contempt. Ukranianas have cultivated their hatred of anything and everything Russian for 1000 years. Russia should have stopped imposing its politics, language, culture, economy or security on Ukrainians in 1990s - had that happened and Russia just completely ceased to attempt to impose on their society they might have been willing to give the "neutrality" a shot. but never ask any Ukrainian to show any respect to russian - they have full right to express contempt and loathing to anyone who still anyhow venerates Stalin or Red army which famined 6 milions of them

[@prabhakararaoaravapalli9050]

Angela Markel is a well respected person all over the world ..A very astute leader, she lead Germany to economic glory in her time. We, now, see what is happening to German economy under Scholtz ..

[@gibsonali5147]

NATO supporting Ukraine is fine but western draw the line when North Korea support Russia who is fooling who

[@imcbocian]

False. NATO does not send its soldiers to Ukraine. And the second more important issue is that North Korea is a criminal regime, sanctioned by the UN, with which it is forbidden to cooperate militarily, which Russia itself voted for. And now, Putin breaking this agreement like any other.

[@janpetersen7440]

It has always been a great mystery to me how a former GDR communist could end up as chancellor of a united Germany. 🤔

[@3markaw]

Exactly ! Not only you wondered this. She was a very shrewd agent of KGB and nobody admits it.

[@rajahua6268]

Intellectual laziness.... that is similar to the ex-NZ PM.

[@BelloAlhassan-p4t]

It is always the western double standards , hypocrisies , lies upon lies and nonsenses !!! Said Most Experts .

[@alexp296]

what did Busch in 2008 NATO summit was a good move. He is not affraid of Rusia and is normal normal to be like that.

[@dimicdragan5922]

No its not her fault, its nato fault and usa fault, because they broke all their promisses given to russia not to expand nato... but again... whi knows all the games played behind tje curtains

[@imcbocian]

There were no promise. And Russia is not the one to tell other nations with whom they can cooperate

[@eckligt]

What an idiotic comment! Russia signed onto the Budapest memorandum in 1994 that guaranteed Ukraine's sovereignity and territorial integrity. It's Russia and Russia ALONE that has broken that commitment.

[@dimicdragan5922]

@@eckligt its not an idiotic comment - its a fact - facts cannot be idiotic or not idiotic - they are just facts. Which means your comment is kind a ... idiotic... If russia also broke some promisses and international agreements - then that is also a fact... I do not justify Russias war on Ukraine, the Russian agression is wrong of course and only the common people pay the price for the war... which is all sad. What i am just saying is that NATO and western alliances were far more expansive than russia especially after the end of the first cold war... But still the fact that NATO exists is usefull as it prevents complete chaos and WW3... I am just saying NATO should not want to gulp up the whole world... there must be some limits... Why Ukraine had to become part of nato? Could it not remain neutral? If russians planned to invade Ukraine even if it remained neutral - then moving to nato is a justified move on ukraine side...

[@eckligt]

@@dimicdragan5922 Throwing around words like "fact" doesn't make sense when you wrote about who is at fault, which is a moral judgement. Your analysis is however nonsense, since you make it seem like NATO has agency or free will -- quote "NATO should not want to gulp up the whole world". NATO does not _want_ anything. It is the democratic nation states that have agency, the ability to take the initiative and associate with whom they want. After the cold war ended, many nations who had been either Soviet satellite states or parts of the USSR were very eager to join NATO. NATO did not "gulp up" anything. These nations understood the imperial and expansionist nature of Russia. It was therefore important for them to join NATO -- it was the only effective way for them to have a guarantee against falling back under Russian oppression. And what was the alternative? Should NATO have refused to allow these democratic nations entry even though they strongly wanted to join? That would be the same as saying they don't deserve to be democratic countries with respect for the rule of law and individual liberties. Russia sometimes calls NATO the "collective west". It is actually a good term -- each individual country, except the USA, is too small and could not withstand an attack from Russia. But collectively, these countries have more military power than Russia, and can protect themselves. Effectively, by collectivizing security, they prevent any realistic chance of attack from Russia. Russia has no reason to be upset about NATO growing to include East and Central European countries. Russia signed up to the UN charter at the end of WW2, which means it is required to respect the territories of other countries, just like those countries are required to respect Russia's territorial integrity. No country is entitled to be surrounded by buffer states that they can control, because that would infringe on those countries' sovereignity. Just like France and Germany don't feel the need to have a buffer state between them, and just like Canada and the USA don't feel the need to have a buffer state between them, Russia has no legitimate need to be have loyal buffer states between itself and other countries. No one was threatening Russia. No one _is_ threatening Russia.

[@zackwang9314]

The US had an awakening moment with Donald Trump and it is time for Germany too with their AFD party which puts Germany's national interests first

[@mekhedashow]

Yes

[@tenzinthinlay9051]

NATO Go Out from Europe Then after coming peacefully in Europe.

[@Blanka1100]

Nato did not invade Ukraine. Putin did. Because he could invade non Nato country only.

[@Lcavl-clk]

The fact that she doesn't want to talk about it & saying that no point for further discussion shows her complicity.

[@pamlewis1183]

This American apologizes ... It wasn't my vote, believe me....

[@nolan485]

Did you vote for Clinton, Obama or Biden? They have all said during their presidencies that Germany and Europe need to increase defense spending, including stop that gas dependency (Obama). You are thinking partisan AND being persuaded by foreigners who only have their own interests in mind and are basically lying to you by omissions and fact

[@fasamelon]

Of course she is at fault.

[@pmaboudi8352]

You also promised Russia that the NATO will not go beyond the border of Germany, but you started to put Eastern European one by one in NATO. so you didn’t solely betrayed the Ukraine but you betrayed Russia.

[@TheStudio-div]

Russia also promises the his troops wont expand into other country and gurantee Ukraine security. What happen to Russia troop in africa?

[@damienmurphy3390]

When this lovely woman was in power I personally think that the world was more peaceful, also the German economy was doing much better than now. But I'm not an expert ❤❤

[@billfairless6256]

She's German not much love for Russians or Ukranians. It's a historic thing.

[@wilhelm-z4t]

Although imperfectly, Ms. Dempsey has a better grasp on the current problem, its origin and a potential solution than Mr. Rühle. He is, unfortunately, very, very representative of the elitist echo-chamber, a typical bureaucrat.

[@henryopatrick3648]

Everything!!!!@

[@jptrainor]

Lol. Yeah... Blame the fiasco on the last guy. Politicians. Ugh.

[@annieshedden1245]

since when is a Brit fighting for Ukraine a "breech of international law"?

[@3markaw]

I think she was talking about parading the British soldier on TV. This is against the rules.

[@felipearbustopotd]

Ja, and let history not forget that. 03:46 No humility in looking back and saying I phucked up.

[@CeylonLastMile]

Merkel's 16 years vs olaf 🤭

[@samuels8167]

Her reign as chancellor has been disastrous for Germany. She was led by Wolfgang Schaeuble and both never understood the dynamics of rise of China and and continued the old politics. Both never tolerated different way of thinking in CDU and forced many to resign and leave the party. I believe that in coming years ahead of us Germany may leave EU/NATO and join BRICS!

[@Ingrid-wf4cl]

BRICS definetly doesn`t want Germany to join their organization.

[@biswanathmukherjee4622]

Long live Putin and Russia.

[@raymobula]

2:21 well, she was humble. Don’t underestimate that women undergo more social penalty than men. So, she played her election down.

[@David-Rymer]

liberals try not to sell your country challenge (impossible)

[@chanjoe9244]

You people blame Russia, blame China, blame NKorea. Now you even blame your previous leader. Did yo EVER consider to blame the US？ Blame the NATO？

[@WingkKong]

The conflict actually is between America and Russia Russia actually can help Germany a lot

[@randomguy7175]

So who always wanted to Russia in history!?

[@natiaandguladze]

A lot!

[@JanetLClark]

I blame the media for raising this issue. Not necessary. Leave the woman alone already.

[@3markaw]

If you want to run a major country on the world stage then you accept you will be criticized for your ineptitude.

[@marcusgibson3899]

'Politial editor'' ! Great spelling, great accuracy, journalists..

[@patrickcowan8701]

Does it matter. You're screwed anyway you look at it.

[@Longtimerolling]

They surely don't need head sets on to talk to each other..?

[@TweleChang]

Why i my keyboard sticking whenever i try to comment? Is this the nee method of censorship? KZbin???

[@jakw2020]

Only History accurately judges big political decisions. However good Merkel’s decisions might have sounded when she took them, only 10 years later most of them turn out disastrous. Poutine couldn’t have asked for a better ally during that time. Maybe more time is still required, but she picked a weird moment to come up and try to defend her legacy….

[@jakw2020]

And maybe it was a red red line for Poutine to take Ukraine in Nato in 2008, but he was much less prepared to do anything back then, economically and militarily, and we see the result anyway… so how can we even try to defend the blocking of Ukraine and Georgia to Nato back then…? Should we have done it, we’d have had an angry Poutine (that we have anyway), but with no war in Georgia and Ukraine and millions of lives saved.

[@Piqued5]

Great guests on complex topics