Ukraine war: Angela Merkel defends her record on Putin

08.06.2022, 11:38 bbc.com

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has defended her record on handling Vladimir Putin in her first major interview since leaving office. She said she had "nothing to apologise for" over her response to Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, when she supported sanctions. She also defended her opposition in office to Ukraine joining Nato. Mrs Merkel has been accused of leaving Germany vulnerable by pursuing business-led relations with Russia.