Merkel has also called for exploring a diplomatic solution to the war at some point, although the leadership in Ukraine says Moscow cannot be trusted to negotiate in good faith.

“It is not only in Ukraine’s interest, but also in our interest that Putin does not win this war,” Merkel told German public service ZDF on Thursday, but “diplomatic solutions must always be considered in parallel.”

It made jaws drop in Ukraine.

“What kind of ‘return to diplomacy’ can we even talk about, when such ‘diplomacy’ under Merkel’s patronage in the form of the ‘Minsk Process’ has already occurred and led to full-scale aggression?” Merezhko said.

According to the lawmaker, Merkel cannot admit that she paid more attention to German economic interests than common European security.

“Merkel took into account the interests and demands of her economic partner Russia more than the interests of Ukraine. Her policy towards Russia can be called a policy of appeasement,” Merezhko said.