Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the 2015 Minsk agreements were a necessary step at a time when Ukraine was unable to fully confront Russia. She said the agreements gave Kyiv time to prepare for a full-scale war.
Merkel stressed that the situation at that time was critical. Ukraine was in a much weaker position, and the international community was not ready to decisively deter Russia. She pointed out that at that time Russian President Vladimir Putin could have advanced much more quickly into Ukrainian territory.
According to the former Chancellor, it was the Minsk agreements that allowed to postpone the development of events and buy time to strengthen the state. Ukraine was able to reform the army, strengthen its defense capabilities and better prepare for a possible full-scale invasion.
Merkel also emphasized that despite all the difficulties, Ukraine was able to survive the war that began in 2022 and preserve its statehood. She expressed hope that the country will continue to remain sovereign and independent in making decisions.
This interview was Merkel's first major public appearance in 2026 and immediately sparked a new wave of debate about the role of the Minsk agreements. Some experts had previously criticized them for only postponing the conflict, but Merkel herself actually confirmed a different logic - the agreements were a forced pause that gave Ukraine a chance to strengthen.
At the same time, she also commented on previous controversial statements about the role of Eastern European countries in the run-up to the invasion. According to her, her position had been misinterpreted, and she did not blame Poland or the Baltic states for starting the war.
Thus, the former Chancellor's statement adds a new dimension to the assessment of the events of 2015. The Minsk agreements in her interpretation appear not as an instrument of peace, but as a strategic decision that allowed Ukraine to gain time in the confrontation with Russia.
