Kiev angered as German naval chief urges 'respect' for Putin!: German navy leader quits after calling for 'respect' for Putin

BERLIN: The head of Germany's navy has resigned amid furore about comments he made that Russian President Vladimir Putin deserves "respect" and that the Crimean Peninsula "will never come back" to Ukraine, the Defence Ministry confirmed on Saturday.

Inspector of the Navy Kay-Achim Schönbach made the comments in India on Friday. They prompted Ukraine to call in the German ambassador and Schönbach to try to walk them back on Saturday.

"What he really wants is respect," he said of Putin. "And, my God, giving someone respect is low cost, even no cost. If I was asked it is easy to even give him the respect he really demands and probably also deserves."

Schönbach's comments came after Moscow stationed 100,000 troops along Ukraine's borders, leading to weeks of diplomacy to prevent hostilities from breaking out. Russia denies it is planning anything, but has also demanded that NATO promise not to admit Ukraine or expand further into Eastern Europe.

But, speaking in India, Schönbach said he saw China as a greater threat. "Even we - India, Germany - we need Russia. Because we need Russia against China," he said.

Schönbach, a devout Catholic, also noted that Russia is a Christian country. "I believe in Christianity and there we have a Christian country, even if Putin is an atheist. It doesn't matter. Having this big country, even if it's not a democracy, at our side as a bilateral partner, giving them a chance with the EU and also the United States of America, having them on eye level. It is easy.

"It probably keeps Russia away from China."

Of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Schönbach said that "the Crimean Peninsula is gone. It will never come back." His comments referred to Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, one of the incidents that started off the long-simmering hostilities.

Since then, Russian-backed rebels have also been fighting Ukraine's pro-Western government in the eastern part of the country.

Although the recent, massive build-up of Russian troops has led to widespread fears, Schönbach dismissed the idea that Russia seeks to take over Ukrainian territory as "nonsense."

His comments came as NATO members boost their defences following the failure of high-level diplomatic talks.

Germany's Defence Ministry distanced itself from Schönbach's comments on Saturday, after reports about his comments were carried by several media outlets.

"The content and choice of words of the statements in no way correspond to the position of the Defence Ministry," a spokesperson told dpa.

Schönbach himself also reflected on his comments. He said his statement was a "clear mistake" in a tweet on Saturday and described his comments as "ill-considered, misjudged in the situation."

Nonetheless, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry summoned the German ambassador to Ukraine, Anka Feldhusen, regarding the statements.

The ministry expressed concern about the "unacceptability of the statements made by the commander in chief of the German navy, Kay-Achim Schönbach," the ministry said in a letter on Saturday.

The ministry took issue with Schönbach's statement that Crimea would never return to Ukraine and that Ukraine will not meet the membership criteria for NATO, the letter read.

Later on Saturday, Schönbach said he had asked to be relieved of his duties with immediate effect.

"My ill-considered statements on security and military policy made in India are increasingly weighing on my office," he told the navy's press office. "In order to avoid further damage to the German Navy, the Bundeswehr, but above all to the Federal Republic of Germany, I consider this step necessary."

He said Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht had accepted his request...

Kiev angered as German naval chief urges 'respect' for Putin!

Berlin: A German military leader who called for the world to give some 'respect' to Russian President Vladimir Putin - whose country is accused of planning an invasion of Ukraine - has sparked diplomatic tumult.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry summoned the German ambassador regarding the comments, which it described as "unacceptable."

Vice Admiral and head of the German navy Kay-Achim Schönbach seemed to show empathy for Russian President Vladimir Putin in statements made during an appearance in India this week.

"What he really wants is respect," he said of Putin. "And, my God, giving someone respect is low cost, even no cost. If I was asked it is easy to even give him the respect he really demands and probably also deserves.

Schönbach's comments came after Moscow stationed 100,000 troops along Ukraine's borders, leading to weeks of diplomacy to prevent hostilities from breaking out. Russia denies it is planning anything, but has also demanded that NATO promise not to admit Ukraine or expand further into Eastern Europe.

But, speaking in India, Schönbach said he saw China as a greater threat. "Even we - India, Germany - we need Russia. Because we need Russia against China." he said.

Schönbach, a devout Catholic, also noted that Russia is a Christian country. "I believe in Christianity and there we have a Christian country, even if Putin is an atheist. It doesn't matter. Having this big country, even if it's not a democracy, at our side as a bilateral partner, giving them a chance with the EU and also the United States of America, having them on eye level. It is easy.

"It probably keeps Russia away from China"

Of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Schönbach said that "the Crimean Peninsula is gone. It will never come back." His comments referred to Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, one of the incidents that started off the long-simmering hostilities.

Since then, Russian-backed rebels have also been fighting Ukraine's pro-Western government in the eastern part of the country.

Although the recent, massive build-up of Russian troops has led to widespread fears, Schönbach dismissed the idea that Russia seeks to take over Ukrainian territory as "nonsense."

His comments came as NATO members are boosting their defences following the failure of high-level diplomatic talks.

Germany's Defence Ministry distanced itself from Schönbach's comments on Saturday, after reports about his comments were carried by several media outlets.

"The content and choice of words of the statements in no way correspond to the position of the Defence Ministry," a spokesperson told dpa.

The vice admiral will be given the opportunity to comment to the Inspector General, the spokesperson said.

Schönbach himself also reflected on his comments. He said his statement was a "clear mistake" in a tweet on Saturday and described his comments as "ill-considered, misjudged in the situation."

Nonetheless, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry summoned the German ambassador to Ukraine, Anka Feldhusen, regarding the statements.

The ministry expressed concern about the "unacceptability of the statements made by the commander in chief of the German navy, Kay-Achim Schönbach," the ministry said in a letter on Saturday.

The ministry took issue with Schönbach's statement that Crimea would never return to Ukraine and that Ukraine will not meet the membership criteria for NATO, the letter read.

The ministry also repeated its "deep disappointment" at Germany's repeated refusal to supply defensive weapons to the country.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has also criticized Germany's stance on the conflict. "Germany's current statements are disappointing," he tweeted on Saturday.

He said this contradicted the assistance provided since 2014, for which Kiev was grateful. "Now, as never before, the unity of the West towards Russia is important."

To rein in Russia, "considerable efforts together" are needed, Kuleba said. Germany must stop "undermining this unity with statements and actions.