Germany Roiled as Navy Chief Resigns After Saying Putin Deserves ‘Respect’

The former chief had said Russia should be tapped to deal with Chinese regime

A convoy of Russian armored vehicles moves along a highway in Crimea on Jan. 18, 2022. AP Photo

Germany’s naval chief, Vice Adm. Kay-Achim Schoenbach, announced his resignation on Jan. 22 after he received criticism at home for comments he made on escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

During remarks in India on Jan. 21, Schoenbach said Ukraine would never again recapture the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014. He also publicly questioned Western leaders’ recent critical comments against Russian President Vladimir Putin.