The German chancellor Friedrich Merz is "a war criminal" because his decision to lift restrictions on the range of missiles used by Kiev to strike Russia will lead to escalation of the conflict at the very moment, when the peace talks are on the table, former officer of the French army Jacques Hogard told Sputnik Africa.
"Merz is responsible for sabotaging peace. He is a criminal; I call him a war criminal because he is determined to prolong this war for interests that are purely mercantile," he stated.
While praising Putin's "restraint, prudence, and moderation," the speaker warned that Russia could respond in a "proportional, but terrible" manner.
"While I commend your president's restraint, prudence, and moderation, there will be a response. And this response will be at the same level, but it will be terrible. I can imagine that the Taurus factories will be destroyed by Oreshnik or other military means," the retired officer noted.