Chief of German navy resigns after controversial remarks on Russian president Vladimir Putin

The  head of the German navy, Kay-Achim Schönbach, resigned on Saturday night (22 January) after making controversial comments related to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the current situation in Ukraine. Vice Admiral Schönbach said, among other things, that Putin "deserves respect" and called it "a fact" that Ukraine will never get back the Crimean peninsula annexed by Russia in .

The Vice-admiral, who has led Germany's navy and represented it externally since March 2020, had said during a consultation in India on Friday (21 January) that Putin demands respect and that it is easy for Western powers to give it to him. After video footage of this appeared on YouTube and television, the German government publicly distanced itself from Schönbach's statements. The German Ministry of Defence said that the statements did not represent Berlin's position and could potentially undermine the position of Germany and the West towards Russia.

As a result of the commotion, Schönbach apologised and submitted his resignation, a statement reads. 

"My careless comments in India on security and military policy are an increasing burden on my office," his statement said. "I consider this step necessary to avoid further damage to the German navy, the German military, but especially the Federal Republic of Germany."

The Ministry of Defence immediately accepted Schönbach's resignation. According to him, it was about personal opinions expressed during a discussion.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had summoned the German ambassador on Saturday because of "unacceptable statements by the commander of the German Navy". A spokesman for the ministry warned that the statements could weaken Western efforts to de-escalate the Russian/Ukrainian situation.

 

source: commonspace.eu with agencies
photo: Kay-Achim Schönbach during the speech in India. Manohar Parrikar IDSA

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
Dunya Mijatovic: "Entrenched harmful stereotypes and prejudice against LGBTI people still prevail in segments of Georgian society, including some politicians"

Dunya Mijatovic: "Entrenched harmful stereotypes and prejudice against LGBTI people still prevail in segments of Georgian society, including some politicians"

On March 27, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, issued a statement calling on the Georgian government to “fully respect” its human rights obligations as a Council of Europe member state, “including with regard to the protection of the human rights of LGBTI people,” in response to the ruling party’s initiation of two draft constitutional laws on “family values and the protection of minors.” “I am concerned about the present political discourse in Georgia, as illustrated by the announcement made by the Georgian Dream Party of their initiative to amend the Constitution and to adopt a new constitutional law on ‘Protection of Family Values and Underaged Persons’. It is reflective of entrenched harmful stereotypes and prejudice against LGBTI people which still prevail in segments of Georgian society, including some politicians, and is capable of having a strong, negative impact on the human rights, safety and well-being of LGBTI people and defenders of their rights. It also represents the political manipulation of LGBTI-phobia in the run-up to elections, which I have previously condemned, and which should have no place in a democratic society, based on the rule of law and respect for human rights of everyone.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Dunya Mijatovic: "Entrenched harmful stereotypes and prejudice against LGBTI people still prevail in segments of Georgian society, including some politicians"

Dunya Mijatovic: "Entrenched harmful stereotypes and prejudice against LGBTI people still prevail in segments of Georgian society, including some politicians"

On March 27, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, issued a statement calling on the Georgian government to “fully respect” its human rights obligations as a Council of Europe member state, “including with regard to the protection of the human rights of LGBTI people,” in response to the ruling party’s initiation of two draft constitutional laws on “family values and the protection of minors.” “I am concerned about the present political discourse in Georgia, as illustrated by the announcement made by the Georgian Dream Party of their initiative to amend the Constitution and to adopt a new constitutional law on ‘Protection of Family Values and Underaged Persons’. It is reflective of entrenched harmful stereotypes and prejudice against LGBTI people which still prevail in segments of Georgian society, including some politicians, and is capable of having a strong, negative impact on the human rights, safety and well-being of LGBTI people and defenders of their rights. It also represents the political manipulation of LGBTI-phobia in the run-up to elections, which I have previously condemned, and which should have no place in a democratic society, based on the rule of law and respect for human rights of everyone.