Bundestag says Merkel's decisions have contributed to Russia's full-scale attack on Ukraine

This is stated in an interview with  RTL/ntv.

Strack-Zimmermann emphasized that Ukraine's failure to join NATO "was a big mistake made by the French and Angela Merkel in those days."

It is reported that at the 2008 summit, NATO countries promised Ukrainians quick accession. This failed because Merkel and then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy opposed it out of "respect for Russia." In addition, the former chancellor defended her decision even after the full-scale invasion.

Strack-Zimmerman places a special responsibility on the behavior of the federal government at the time. It should have taken the side of Ukraine after Russia's attack and supported it with weapons. However, as the head of the defense committee said, "Angela Merkel's history will have to be rewritten, especially the history of the last few years and the complete misjudgment."

The politician does not believe that the war in Ukraine can last as long as the First or Second World Wars.

"The war will definitely not last for four or five years," said Strack-Zimmermann, adding that Putin did not count on broad and steady support for Ukraine: "Putin thinks we are complete weaklings."

• Christoph Heusgen, a foreign policy advisor to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and chairman of the Munich Security Conference, called the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to transport Russian gas the biggest mistake of the German government in recent years.