BERLIN (Reuters), – Saturday’s statement by the German government dissociated itself from statements made by its navy chief. The video showed him saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin deserved respect, and that Kyiv wouldn’t win back Crimea annexed from Moscow.

German Navy Chief Kay-Achim Schoenbach apologised for the “rash” remarks he made, which were posted on YouTube. They are widely distributed on German media and deemed a mistake.

Schoenbach posted on Twitter (NYSE:) that his comments made at India’s thinktank discussions were his personal opinion, and not the position of the defense ministry.

These remarks are made at an extremely sensitive moment, as Russia has positioned tens to thousand troops along Ukraine’s border. Diplomatic efforts continue to stop the situation from spiraling into war. Russia claims it does not intend to invade Ukraine.

Berlin spokesperson from the Defence Ministry said the remarks were not intended to reflect Germany’s position, in terms of content and form.

The spokesperson said that Admiral Schoenbach would have the chance to voice his opinions to the chief for defense.

Schoenbach speaks in English and says that Putin wants to be seen at the West’s eye level.

Schoenbach said that Putin really needs respect.

It is not expensive to give someone respect. Schoenbach described Russia as an older and more important country and said that it was easy to show the person respect.

Schoenbach admits Russia’s actions must be addressed but also states that “the Crimea Peninsula has gone, it won’t come back, that is a fact” which contradicts the Western joint position that Moscow’s annexed of Ukraine’s peninsula in 2014. This is contrary to the Western view that Moscow cannot accept and should be reversed.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry urged Germany to reject publicly the Navy Chief’s remarks.

Schoenbach’s remarks that Crimea wouldn’t return to Ukraine and Russia’s president deserved to be respected could hinder Western attempts to de-escalate this situation, the statement said.

“Ukraine appreciates Germany’s support from 2014 onwards, and also for their diplomatic efforts to end the Russian-Ukrainian war of aggression. “But Germany’s latest statements are disappointing, and run counterto that support and effort,” Dmytro Kunleba, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, said in separate tweet.