GERMANY’S naval chief has resigned over controversial comments he made about Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
Russia: Nuclear strike would turn Germany into a wasteland
Sign up to receive our rundown of the day’s top stories direct to your inbox
Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Vice-Admiral Kay-Achim Schönbach said the idea that Russia wanted to invade Ukraine was nonsense. The naval chief added that all Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted was respect. He later withdrew his comments where he called for rapprochement with Mr Putin amid the Ukraine crisis, terming it as a “mistake”.
Mr Schönbach then said on Saturday that he had resigned from his role.
He added that he would be resigning with “immediate effect” to “avert further damage”.
Writing about the resignation of the German naval chief on Twitter, Daily Telegraph Middle East correspondent James Rothwell said: “Head of the German navy has resigned after saying that Putin ‘probably’ deserves respect and that Crimea is lost and never coming back.”
Speaking at a think tank in New Delhi on Friday, Mr Schönbach said: “Does Russia really want a small and tiny strip of Ukraine soil integrated into the country?
Financial Gazette
