"Morally degenerate" - Bohlen causes criticism and incomprehension with Russia statements

Music producer and DSDS juror Dieter Bohlen caused criticism and incomprehension with statements about sanctions against Russia. “I hear and read here that sanctions against Russia are repeatedly being questioned, especially in Germany. How can that be? Do you, Dieter Bohlen, not care if people die here?” Writes Kiev Mayor Wladimir Klitschko in a lengthy statement on the Twitter news service.

He understands that the economic situation is currently a major challenge for many people, including in Germany. “But it was Russia that attacked Ukraine. How can you even think about doing business with this country?” the Ukrainian politician continued.

Klitschko was referring to a video that has only now been distributed, in which Bohlen's appearance at the end of August at the "Founders Summit" in Wiesbaden can be seen. In the excerpt, the music producer says with a view to the policy of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine: "If they hadn't imposed these sanctions, for example, and you'd sat down reasonably at a table, yes, then people wouldn't need to do all this nonsense now ."

The 68-year-old Bohlen also says in the short clip: "Now we have to freeze, now we have to do this and that, that's all shit from my point of view."

SPD leader Saskia Esken was also outraged by the music producer's statements on Twitter. "How morally depraved do you have to be to ignore this appalling war, the fear and suffering and death it causes, for cheap applause?" Esken tweeted Wednesday night. "And to complain about the freezing" and all the frippery" that doesn't affect him as the super-rich anyway?" Bohlen himself initially did not comment on the criticism on Thursday.

After Russia's attack on Ukraine, the West imposed massive sanctions, primarily intended to make it more difficult for the Kremlin to finance the war.

Bohlen became known as the singer and composer of the pop duo Modern Talking ("You're My Heart, You're My Soul"). He is currently on the TV jury for the final season of “Deutschland sucht den Superstar” on RTL.