The commander-in-chief of the German Navy resigned after saying that Putin deserves respect and Crimea cannot be returned

The head of the German Naval Forces, Vice Admiral Kai-Achim Schönbach, submitted a resignation letter, apologizing for his words about Crimea and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Rear Admiral Jan Christian Kaak, Schönbach's deputy, will act as interim commander-in-chief of the German Navy.

On January 21, at a conference in India, Schönbach said that the Crimean peninsula was forever lost to Kyiv and "will never return." The vice-admiral also said that Putin, supporting rumors about a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, only wants the West to respect him. “And, my God, it doesn’t cost much to show someone respect, it doesn’t even cost anything ... It’s very easy to give him the respect that he really demands - and probably also deserves,” Schönbach said.

The statement of the military, having spread in social networks, caused criticism from the German Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Defense. After Schönbach expressed regret because of his words, noting that it was his personal opinion, and not the official position of the German authorities.

“My reckless remarks in India… create additional tension around my office. I consider this step (resignation) necessary to prevent further damage to the fleet of Germany, the Bundeswehr and, above all, Germany, ”Schoenbach said.