Angela Merkel reaffirms her stance as a feminist, reflecting on her experiences with Vladimir Putin and the importance of NATO in responding to Russia’s aggression. She emphasizes the need for military strength but also stresses finding peaceful solutions to conflicts.
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In 2024, Merkel reaffirms this stance, stating “Yes, in my way, I feel as a feminist.”
Merkel shares an anecdote about her interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In 2017, during the G20 summit, Putin gave her a toy puppy dog as a gift, which she interpreted as an attempt to inspire fear in her. However, Merkel remained confident and tried not to show any fear.
In another instance, Merkel confronted Putin on the phone in 2014 about Russian military forces occupying Crimea. Putin replied with a “barefaced lie”, which fundamentally changed their relationship.
Merkel reflects on her experiences as a leader and her thoughts on the future of NATO. She acknowledges that she underestimated Vladimir Putin’s actions, particularly his annexation of Crimea in 2014. Merkel writes that she tried to find peaceful solutions to conflicts, but ultimately believes that military strength is needed to respond to Russia’s aggression.
She also expresses concern about the current state of global leadership and the importance of preserving institutions such as free elections and the justice system.
Key Takeaways
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Angela Merkel sees herself as a feminist and has always advocated for women’s equality.
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She reflects on her interactions with Vladimir Putin, including his attempts to inspire fear in her and his “barefaced lie” about Russian military forces occupying Crimea.
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Merkel believes that NATO should have taken stronger action against Russia’s aggression, particularly after the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Interview Highlights
Mary Louise Kelly’s interview with Angela Merkel covers various topics, including feminism, Vladimir Putin, and the future of NATO.
Merkel on Feminism
Merkel describes a moment in 2017 where she was asked if she sees herself as a feminist. She had to think about it because classical feminism in Germany meant real activists for women’s rights, which she wasn’t part of. However, throughout her political career, she came to the conviction that equality and women’s participation is not automatic.
Merkel writes in her book that she has been a feminist because she has always advocated for equal participation of women and men in the world. When asked today if she sees herself as a feminist, Merkel’s answer is:
Yes. In my way, I feel as a feminist. Yes.
Confronting Putin on Crimea
Merkel confronted Putin over the phone regarding the “little green men” occupying Crimea in 2014. She suspected these armed men were Russian soldiers. Putin replied with a barefaced lie.
Merkel’s Message to Americans
In response to a question about what she would like Americans to hear directly from her, Merkel emphasized the importance of protecting institutions and promoting peaceful solutions. She noted that many citizens stand up for compromises and good discussions, and that science should be put above insults.
Merkel also wrote in her book that trying everything to find a peaceful solution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine was the right approach, but it wasn’t successful. She believes the COVID pandemic made finding solutions even more difficult due to lack of personal contact.
Underestimating Putin
When asked if she underestimated Vladimir Putin, Merkel responded:
I think we have all underestimated him. We thought he would not go so far. And now we see what has happened in Ukraine and how many victims there are.
The Future of NATO
Merkel emphasized the need for military strength to respond to Russia’s aggression but also stressed finding ways to put an end to the war in a way that Ukraine remains a sovereign state.
Angela Merkel’s Thoughts on Feminism and Leadership
In her book “Freedom”, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel reflects on her experiences as a leader, including her thoughts on feminism.
When asked if she sees herself as a feminist in 2017, Merkel replied that she had to think about it because she didn’t consider herself part of the classical feminist movement in Germany. However, through her political career, she came to believe in the importance of equality and women’s participation. She advocated for women’s quotas and the promotion of women, leading her to conclude that she has always been a feminist.
