According to her, this would be a sign of political wisdom.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel advised to take the words of Vladimir Putin seriously, writes the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung.
In her speech at the opening of the Foundation of Federal Chancellor Helmut Kohl, Merkel recalled that she had previously advised to take the words of the Russian leader seriously.
"Not to dismiss them as a bluff, but to take them seriously is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of political wisdom," Angela Merkel said, adding that this would give room for maneuvering.
During his address to the nation on September 21, Vladimir Putin warned Western countries not to try to blackmail Russia with nuclear weapons, because "the wind rose may turn in their direction. After which British Prime Minister Liz Truss said that one should not take these words seriously. After which the British advised her not to tease Putin.