In her newly released memoirs, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel reveals her cautious stance on Ukraine's swift NATO membership bid during her tenure.

Merkel feared a military response from Russia, particularly due to the presence of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Crimea.

She believed that NATO membership should enhance security for both the new member and the alliance, a condition not met by Ukraine at the time.

Merkel's decision at the 2008 NATO summit in Bucharest resulted in a compromise, denying Ukraine and Georgia a Membership Action Plan but promising future membership, a move seen by Russia as a provocation.

Her memoirs also recount her challenging interactions with leaders like Donald Trump and her hopes for Kamala Harris's presidential success.