BERLIN, April 4. /TASS/. Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel (who held the post from 2005 to 2021) defended her decision not to admit Ukraine into NATO in 2008, DPA news agency cited her as saying on Monday.

"Former German chancellor Angela Merkel stands by her decisions in connection with the 2008 NATO summit in Bucharest," the statement reads.

The news agency noted that Ukraine’s 2008 request was blocked by former French President Sarkozy and Merkel.