Merkel declined to act as a mediator in the negotiations between the EU and Russia
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has categorically rejected the idea of her potentially mediating in negotiations between the European Union and the Kremlin to end the war in Ukraine.
This is reported by Hasepost.
Speaking at the WDR Europaforum international forum in Berlin, the former German leader made it clear that she considers it absolutely impossible to conduct a serious dialogue with Moscow without real levers of political power. She emphasized that resolving such global conflicts is the exclusive prerogative and responsibility of the leaders of the countries currently in power. The European publication Politico reported on her public refusal.
The 71-year-old former diplomat explained her position by citing historical experience, noting that her participation in drafting the Minsk Agreements following the annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of hostilities in Donbas in 2014 was effective only because she and then-French President François Hollande held the official authority of sitting heads of state. Merkel called the practice of sending retired politicians to meetings with current heads of state questionable and ineffective. In addition, the former chancellor separately urged current European leaders not to underestimate Russian President Vladimir Putin under any circumstances, calling such potential underestimation a critical mistake both in the past and now.
This public statement came amid active internal discussions in Brussels regarding the search for the optimal format for future diplomatic contacts with the Kremlin. Earlier, Western media reported that Merkel was being considered as a compromise candidate due to her deep personal knowledge of both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, her fluency in Russian, and her current distance from active political processes in Germany. Following her official refusal, international observers are naming Finland’s current President Alexander Stubb and former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi as the leading candidates for the role of potential European negotiators.
The European Union is discussing the possible appointment of a special mediator for contacts with Russia, and Angela Merkel is among the leading candidates. Mario Draghi and Alexander Stubb are also being considered alongside her, but no final decision has been made yet due to disagreements among diplomats.
Berlin has called theRussian Federation’s proposal for Schröder to mediate in the negotiations a fiction.
