Merkel’s Strong Call for Immediate Diplomacy with Russia
Former Chancellor Merkel lamented Europe's limited diplomatic impact in the Ukraine conflict while affirming the necessity of military aid to Kyiv and urging Europe to assert its own influence decisively.
In an interview with the German public broadcaster WDR, former Chancellor Merkel expressed her regret that Europe is not fully utilizing its political and diplomatic weight in the conflict.
At the same time, she made it clear that she considers military aid to Kyiv to prevent Russian aggression absolutely justified.
“Military deterrence and diplomatic initiatives are something I consider important,” she said emphatically.
Merkel, who remained in power for 16 years until December 2021, stressed that it is not enough for the American president Donald Trump alone to maintain contacts with the Russian leadership. “We also count, as Europeans,” she noted.
She even referred to the Minsk negotiations following the annexation of Crimea, saying that she would never consider sending a mediator to meet with Vladimir Putin. “We have to take the situation into our own hands,” she added.
On his part, the current Chancellor Friedrich Merz commented that Germany and its European partners are already engaged in intensive dialogue seeking a peaceful solution.
However, he said, the prerequisite is for Russia to show genuine willingness to talk and to stop the bombings, even of civilian infrastructure. So far, he added, every proposal for dialogue has met with even fiercer Russian attacks.
Merkel’s statements come amid ongoing discussions about Europe’s role in the Ukrainian crisis.
