Sahra Wagenknecht Labels Putin a 'Criminal' While Admitting Past Misjudgment

The BSW leader condemns Russia's war in Ukraine, acknowledges errors in assessing the invasion, and calls for renewed diplomatic efforts.

Sahra Wagenknecht, leader of the BSW party, has publicly condemned Vladimir Putin as a 'criminal' for initiating the war in Ukraine during a ZDF interview.
She admitted to misjudging the situation in early 2022, initially believing Russia's military buildup near Ukraine's border was a mere 'show of force.'
Wagenknecht highlighted that her earlier stance was influenced by incorrect assessments from Germany's Federal Intelligence Service (BND).
She criticized Western actions, suggesting that the war might have been avoided if Russia's 'red lines,' such as NATO's presence near its borders, had been respected.
An outspoken critic of Western arms shipments to Ukraine, Wagenknecht reiterated her call for Germany to prioritize diplomacy and negotiations to resolve conflicts.