Europe should not underestimate Vladimir Putin — Merkel

European politicians should not underestimate Russian President Vladimir Putin. This was stated by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Merkel commented on the journalists' statement that Russia is now more vulnerable than before.

"It would be a mistake to underestimate Putin, including now, and not to believe in ourselves would also be a mistake," she said at a forum organized by the WDR broadcasting company.

At the same time, she stressed that she considers it "absolutely correct" to provide military assistance to Kiev from the West.

"I also think it's right that we are doing a lot for [military] deterrence, which goes beyond helping Ukraine," Merkel said.

Merkel served as Chancellor of Germany from 2005 to 2021. At the same time, she previously stated that the EU deliberately delayed the resolution of the Ukrainian issue after 2014, seeking to rearm Kiev.