Germany’s naval chief has resigned after controversial comments he made about Russia and Crimea sparked a damaging diplomatic row with Kyiv just as fears grow of an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Vice-Admiral Kay-Achim Schönbach was filmed at an Indian think-tank last week saying that Vladimir Putin should be given the “respect he probably deserves” and claiming that Crimea would never be returned to Ukraine.
The comments showed sympathy with Russian policy at a time of mounting western alarm at Moscow’s intentions towards Ukraine. Russia has amassed 106,000 troops on the border with its western neighbour and Nato officials fear a Russian invasion is imminent.
您已阅读15%（673字），剩余85%（3727字）包含更多重要信息，订阅以继续探索完整内容，并享受更多专属服务。