Merkel asks not to treat Russia's threats "as a mere bluff"

MUNICH, Oct. 7 (DPA/EP) -

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has asked this Wednesday not to treat as "a mere bluff" the threats made during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, after some European leaders have downplayed Russian President Vladimir Putin's warning about the use of weapons nuclear.

Merkel has assured during the commemoration of the 77th anniversary of the Munich newspaper 'Suddeutsche Zeitung' that it is better to treat threats seriously to be well advised in the event that the words are not "a bluff from the beginning", according to the agency. German DPA.

Likewise, the former German president has stressed that a lasting peace in Russia can only come about with the participation of Moscow: "As long as we have not achieved that, the Cold War will not really end either," said the veteran politician.

Merkel, 68, retired from politics last year after 16 years in power. Since then, she has largely withdrawn from public life, although she is occasionally in demand as a speaker.

On June 1, after months of silence, the former foreign minister described the Russian attack on Ukraine as "a flagrant violation" of International Law and a "deep rupture" in the history of Europe after World War II.