The German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has delivered a strong condemnation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, effectively ruling out negotiations at the present time. In an interview on the ntv program “Pinar Atalay” Merz stated that Putin is currently demonstrating a desire for escalating military action rather than engaging in dialogue.
Chancellor Merz emphasized Putin’s history of failing to adhere to agreements. He cited an example involving former U.S. President Trump, who arranged a meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, a commitment that Putin subsequently disregarded.
A direct personal meeting with President Putin is currently not being considered by the Chancellor. He indicated that previous attempts at communication have been met with intensified attacks on Ukraine, referencing a disagreement with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who had urged him to engage in direct talks with Putin. Merz countered, arguing that Orbán’s discussion yielded no positive outcome and was followed by a Russian attack on a children’s hospital in Kyiv.
Despite this stance, Chancellor Merz expressed cautious optimism, suggesting he believes a future point will arrive when Putin is willing to explore diplomatic solutions.
Regarding Russia’s role in the international sphere, Merz characterized the nation as a formidable adversary and a threat to the established political order. He identified the targeted Russian propaganda aimed at himself and other Western politicians as part of a broader information war. Recognizing this as a shared challenge for Germany, he asserted his responsibility as leader to make political decisions that safeguard the nation against these threats.