Merz says whether there's any point in talking to Putin

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said that he is not going to hold talks with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin in the near future. The reason is the tragic consequences of previous diplomatic attempts.

In an interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung, Merz emphasised: every contact with the Kremlin seems to be accompanied by a new wave of attacks against Ukraine.

When Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban travelled to Moscow, massive bombing raids on Kiev and a hospital began the same day. After Putin's last telephone conversation with my predecessor, Olaf Scholz, Russia shelled a children's hospital. "If this is the 'result' of the talks, I will refrain from them for a long time," the chancellor said.

Back in May, Merz did not rule out the possibility of direct dialogue with Putin, believing that any steps in the name of peace were justified. However, after the escalation on the frontline and attacks on civilian infrastructure, he radically changed his position.

In addition, Merz commented on the changes in US President Donald Trump's rhetoric towards Moscow. In his opinion, the American leader is gradually moving away from the former tolerance towards the Kremlin:

I see that President Trump is becoming more and more sceptical and critical. This is a process. There is already a unified view of this war in Europe. And Trump, as I see it, is approaching this position," the chancellor noted.

Earlier, Merz has already stated that Putin does not show interest in achieving peace. Therefore, he calls for stronger sanctions against the aggressor country.