Kay-Achim Schönbach has resigned from his role as Chief of the German Navy “with immediate effect” in order to “avert further damage”

During a think-tank discussion in India, he made some controversial comments, which was posted for the world to hear via social media.

In the video the former chief made some controversial comments over Ukraine and says Putin needed to be treated as an equal by the West

He said the idea that Russia wanted to invade Ukraine was nonsense and all President Putin wanted was respect.

Also adding that the Crimean peninsula “is gone and will never come back”.

A number of countries have supplied weapons to Ukraine, including the US and UK, however Germany has refused Ukraine’s request for ammunition.

Now when it comes to the backlash from Schönbach’s comments, the Ukraine foreign ministry had some stern words to share.

They described the comments as “categorically unacceptable”.

He was called upon at home to explain his views.

A spokesperson said these declarations “do not correspond at all to the position of the German ministry of defence,”

Germany reacted swiftly to his comments made on Friday as By late Saturday, shon-back had asked for his dismissal, saying he wanted to prevent further damage resulting to Germany and its military from his “ill-considered statements”.

The German navy has now appointed his deputy as interim naval chief.