In a candid interview with the BBC, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel reflected on her legacy and controversial policies toward Russia and Ukraine. Merkel, who led Germany for 16 years, addressed criticisms that she was too accommodating to Moscow and too hesitant to support Kyiv. She offered a robust defense of her decisions, arguing that they were aimed at maintaining peace and protecting German interests during turbulent times.
Balancing Diplomacy and Strategy
Merkel’s tenure as Chancellor was marked by global challenges, including the financial crisis, the 2015 migrant crisis, and Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea. One of her most scrutinized decisions was blocking Ukraine’s path to NATO membership in 2008.
“We would have seen military conflict even earlier,” Merkel stated, arguing that Ukraine’s lack of preparedness at the time would have escalated tensions with Moscow. “It was completely clear to me that President Putin would not have stood idly by and watched Ukraine join NATO.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disagrees, calling the decision a “miscalculation” that emboldened Russia. Yet Merkel stood firm, emphasizing that her approach was guided by the geopolitical realities of the time.
Gas Pipelines: Peaceful Co-operation or Dependency?
Merkel also addressed criticism of her energy policies, particularly the construction of two gas pipelines linking Germany directly to Russia. These pipelines, designed to secure cheap energy for Germany’s industry, have since been described by Zelensky as a “geopolitical tool of the Kremlin.”
Defending her decision, Merkel explained: “I had two motives with the pipelines: German business interests but also maintaining peaceful links with Russia.”
Her approach, however, faced strong opposition from Eastern European NATO allies. Polish MP Radoslaw Fogiel argued that German gas payments filled Russia’s war chest, ultimately funding its invasion of Ukraine. Merkel conceded that her diplomatic efforts to curb Russian aggression through negotiations ultimately failed.
The Shadow of Nuclear Threats
As the war in Ukraine rages on, Merkel expressed grave concern about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s threats to use nuclear weapons. Having spent two decades engaging with Putin, Merkel understands the stakes.
“We must do everything possible to prevent the use of nuclear weapons,” she urged. “Thankfully, China has also spoken about this. We shouldn’t be paralyzed by fear, but we must also acknowledge that Russia is one of the two biggest nuclear powers in the world. The potential is frightening.”
Legacy Under Scrutiny
Merkel, once hailed as the “de facto leader of Europe,” now finds herself on the defensive. Her recently published memoir, Freedom, revisits the decisions that defined her chancellorship. Critics have questioned her reliance on Russian energy and her perceived hesitance to stand firmly against Moscow.
Former Italian Premier Matteo Renzi, however, offers a nuanced perspective. “One cannot attack Angela for the relations with Russia,” he noted, emphasizing that Merkel’s policies reflected the norms of the time. “In 2005, 2006, relations with Russia were a goal of everyone in Europe.”
A New Era
The full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has forced Europe to re-examine its energy and foreign policies. German industries, heavily reliant on Russian gas, are now grappling with the financial strain of sanctions and the shift to expensive LNG imports.
Merkel acknowledged the changing landscape, saying, “A new era in Europe’s relations with Russia ‘regrettably’ began following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.”
As Europe grapples with the consequences of its past policies, Merkel’s legacy remains a subject of debate. Was her cautious diplomacy a wise effort to maintain peace, or did it inadvertently enable aggression? While history continues to assess her decisions, Merkel remains steadfast in her belief that she acted in Germany’s best interest during an era of uncertainty.
