Ukrainian Ambassador Andriy Melnyk harshly criticized former German Chancellor Angela Merkel for justifying her policy towards Russia after 16 years in power.

This was reported by Spiegel Online.

Melnyk noted that, unfortunately, in Merkel's first interview after the change of government there was not even "a hint of self-criticism."

"The former chancellor's statements about the infallibility of her course with regard to Russia and her too soft attitude toward dictator Putin are surprising," Melnik told the dpa news agency.

Merkel has defended her course against harsh criticism in recent months in a conversation with journalist Alexander Osang on Tuesday night.

"Well, I don't see the need to say it was wrong, so I won't apologize," she said.

Melnyk contradicted her, noting that then how could it be that Russia was able to start the "bloodiest war in Europe since 1945," when Germany's policy toward Russia "has been so steep" in the last few decades.

Merkel's current statements are "very regrettable," the ambassador said.

"Because without an honest, comprehensive review of Germany's policy toward Russia, it is absolutely impossible to draw the right conclusions about future relations with Moscow and to stop its aggression," the ambassador said.

In the interview, the former chancellor also dismissed accusations by Ukraine's ambassador to Germany, Andriy Melnyk, that she had pursued a policy of pacification against Russia.

Merkel previously claimed that she did not plan to comment publicly on her policy toward Russia, even though such requests had been made by her party.