Berlin: German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has acknowledged that she erred when she said, in front of the European Council late last month, that the European Union and Russia were at war.
However, the diplomat pointed out that the overarching message—that the continent should band together in support of Ukraine—remains valid.
Baerbock was questioned about whether she believed Germany was "at war with Russia" in an interview with Der Tagesspiegel that was published on Saturday. Although she added that Moscow was also attacking "our European peace order" by attacking Ukraine, she gave a negative response.
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The foreign minister explained her earlier statement, in which she claimed that the EU was "fighting a war against Russia," and insisted that context was essential to its proper comprehension.
Baerbock recalled having to deflect criticism that Berlin was not doing enough to support Ukraine at the time, with critics citing Berlin's refusal to send tanks to Kiev.
Because of this, the diplomat stated, "I made it clear that we do support Ukraine in its self defense." She continued by saying that she was also attempting to make another point, namely that Moscow's offensive had targeted the entire security system of Europe and not just its neighbor.
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According to Baerbock, the propaganda of the Russian regime had purposefully misrepresented her words. The German proverb "The one who doesn't make mistakes, doesn't live" was the last thing she said.
At the time, Moscow responded to Baerbock's remark by stating that it had only served to demonstrate how the West had been preparing for the current conflict for years. Many domestic politicians on the right and left of the political spectrum did not agree with her choice of words.
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According to Bild, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's office was allegedly keeping track of Baerbock's mistakes as it grew more and more dissatisfied with her performance.