In a video speech on 3 November, Ukrainian President Zelensky expressed anger at Germany and France over the killing of civilians in the capital Kiev, claiming that Germany and France prevented Ukraine's entry into the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) in 2008, which led to the Russian invasion. He expressed anger at Germany and France for preventing Ukraine's entry into the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) in 2008, which he said had led to the Russian invasion.

Zelensky said, "Former German Chancellor Merkel and former French President Sarkozy should come to Bucha (where the massacre took place) and see the consequences of their policy of concessions to Russia. I want them to see the tortured Ukrainians with their own eyes", he said, criticising the then German and French leaders by name.

In 2008, NATO stated in a statement at its summit in Bucharest that Ukraine and Georgia would "become members" in the future, but However, membership reportedly did not materialise due to opposition from France and Germany.

According to the German public broadcaster ARD, Merkel's spokesperson said in a statement that "Merkel has maintained her then and Merkel still maintains the decisions she made at the time with regard to the NATO summit". Mr Sarkozy had not commented by 4 April.

On 4 April, Germany and France announced that they had decided to deport Russian diplomats stationed in the country. According to press reports, Germany and France have targeted 40 and 35 people respectively. In the European Union, Belgium, the Netherlands and the Baltic states also deported Russian diplomats last month.

Sankei Shimbun [Paris-Mina Mitsui]