Is Angela Merkel spreading disinformation by suggesting that Poland and the Baltic states were “partly responsible” for Russia’s attack on Ukraine? Or is attributing such claims to her an act of disinformation itself?
It all began with an over 40-minute interview on the Hungarian YouTube channel Partizán, in which the former German chancellor discussed the political situation in 2021 and the positions taken by Germany, France, and— above all—Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Several of her remarks were quickly picked up by both German and Russian media.
The German tabloid Bild was the first to report on the interview, running the headline: “Shocking Interview: Merkel Blames Poland for Putin’s War” ( (Brisantes Interview: Merkel gibt Polen Mitschuld an Putins Krieg””).
What Did Merkel Actually Say? “In June 2021, I felt that Putin was no longer taking the Minsk agreements seriously,” Merkel said. “Therefore, together with Macron, I wanted a new format—a direct conversation between the EU and Putin. Some countries did not support this, primarily the Baltic states, but Poland was also against it, because they (these countries) feared we did not have a common policy toward Russia.”
Merkel concluded this point by saying: “In any case, it did not happen. Then I left office, and then Putin’s aggression began. She then added, “Today, we cannot know what would have happened if…” She also noted that times have changed and that Europe must now strengthen its deterrence capabilities and support Ukraine.
Mainstream German outlets did not follow Bild’s interpretation. Die Zeit observed that Merkel was not blaming Poland or the Baltic states, but rather describing the “frustration associated with the EU’s lack of unity” before Russia’s aggression. “Merkel’s words were seen as provocative in Eastern Europe, and as a call for self-reflection in the West,” the paper noted.
Die Welt likewise clarified that Merkel did not blame Poland for the war, but was describing the diplomatic context of 2021, when her proposal for an EU– Russia dialogue was rejected by the Baltic states and Poland. The outlet emphasised that Merkel’s words were “aus dem Zusammenhang gerissen” (taken out of context) by tabloids.
“The statements of former Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel, in their original German wording, speak for themselves—and are nothing new,” a spokeswoman for Merkel’s office told the Polish Press Agency (PAP).
In this context, she recalled Merkel’s first public appearance after leaving office, in Berlin in June 2022.
At that time, according to a transcript released by her office, Merkel said: “One thing still weighs on me a bit. In June 2021, President [of USA Joe] Biden met with [Russian leader Vladimir] Putin, and I thought—just as Emmanuel Macron did—that we should also try to involve him in dialogue from the European side, because I already had a feeling that things were not going well with the Minsk agreement. However, it was ultimately not possible to reach agreement on this matter within the EU. And then I thought: well, everyone knows that I will be leaving (office: PAP) soon. A few years earlier, I might have pushed it through.”
Merkel’s remarks also triggered a wave of commentary in Poland. Some echoed Bild’s narrative, while others argued that the headline itself constituted disinformation.
“This is as true as what she wrote in her memoirs—that no one from Central Europe protested against Nord Stream,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, commenting on Merkel’s words.
“Please recall the German government’s reaction to what I said back in 2007 —when I pointed out that we don’t appreciate deals made over our heads,” he added.
“Apparently, the Chancellor has forgotten how her own government reacted to our protests,” added Radosław Sikorski.
Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, former Polish ambassador to Russia and now Minister for Funds and Regional Policy (Polska 2050), also criticised Merkel’s comments. “These words play into Russian propaganda. Suggesting that someone bears responsibility for the war simply because they did not sit down with Russia in time and did not bow low enough to is absurd. It would have been even worse,” she told Polsat News.
Unsurprisingly, Russian outlets were quick to seize on the story. Moskovsky Komsomolets ran a headline reading: “Merkel Unexpectedly Accuses Poland and the Baltic States of Starting the ‘Special Military Operation’. Merkel: Poland and the Baltic States Sabotaged the EU’s Dialogue with Russia on Ukraine.”
“There is no doubt that the Baltic republics and Poland were the most active promoters of Russophobic policies in Europe and did everything to denigrate Russia and provoke conflict,” said Alexei Chepa, First Deputy Chairman of the
International Affairs Committee in Russia’s State Duma, quoted by the portal Lenta.ru. “ On the other hand, Merkel, in my opinion, is dishonest, trying to deflect some responsibility from herself for undermining the Minsk agreements.”
Finally, returning to Bild, one detail is worth noting—the dates. When did Russia actually attack Ukraine?
“Commenting on the interview, “Bild” accused Merkel that (…) Putin’s aggression did not only begin after she left office, but had already taken place earlier, and since the spring of 2021 there had been military movements in preparation for a full-scale attack,” the Polish editorial office of the public broadcaster Deutsche Welle pointed out.
By ih.
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