German Navy Chief Kay-Achim Schoenbach resigns

Berlin / Moscow – German navy chief Kay-Achim Schoenbach has resigned after making controversial statements regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin and Crimea. Vice Admiral Kay-Achim Schoenbach left, saying that the naval department and his post felt pressure due to his statements regarding Putin and Crimea. He was resigning not to cause more damage to Germany and German defence forces. The German government has clarified that the navy chief’s statement is not the government’s stand.

Germany‘s navy chief Kay-Achim Schoenbach was visiting India last week. On this occasion, at a study group programme, ‘Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses’, he presented his stand on Russia and China. ‘Does Russia really want a small tiny strip of Ukraine soil? Or integrate into the country? No, this is nonsense. Putin is probably putting pressure because he knows he can do it and it splits the EU. But what he really wants is high-level respect. If it is possible to respect Putin without paying any price, it should be done. I feel that the Russian President deserves it,’ the German navy chief said.

Naval Chief Schoenbach pointed out that it is necessary to cognisance the Russian movements on the Ukraine issue. But at the same time, he claimed that Ukraine has lost Crimea permanently; it is not possible that they will get it back and that this fact has to be accepted. Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. The international community does not recognise Russia’s occupation. Despite this, the statement made by the German naval chief about Crimea is noteworthy. The German government and defence ministry have rejected naval chief Schoenbach about Russian President Vladimir Putin and Crimea.

The statement drew strong reactions from Germany, Ukraine and other countries. Ukraine has criticised Schoenbach’s remarks as a blow to Western efforts to resolve the Ukraine issue. Following the uproar created by his statements, German naval chief Kay-Achim Schoenbach tendered his resignation to Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht, who said his resignation had been approved.

Meanwhile, it has come to light that the German government has refused to supply arms to the Ukrainian government in the backdrop of Russia-Ukraine tensions. Germany says it has decided not to supply lethal weapons to Ukraine, in line with its policy of not exporting lethal weapons. Germany has reportedly instructed Estonia not to supply German-made weapons and equipment to Ukraine in the Baltic states. The Ukrainian government has expressed displeasure with Germany’s decision, saying it would strengthen Putin.