Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has declined an offer to mediate talks between the European Union and Russia on the issue of the war in Ukraine, Hasepost writes .
Vladimir Putin (right) and Angela Merkel at the opening of the Paris Peace Forum, November 11, 2018, Paris. Photo: Artur Widak / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Merkel stated that she does not consider it possible to conduct such negotiations without official governmental authority. According to her, after the 2014 events, she participated in a dialogue with the Russian leadership only because she was the active head of government herself, as was the then-President of France, François Hollande.
The ex-chancellor noted that the idea of sending former politicians instead of current leaders to negotiations seems questionable. She emphasized that she could not imagine someone else negotiating on her behalf when she held office.
Discussions about potential mediators emerged in Europe amid the search for ways to establish contacts with Russia. Merkel was considered a candidate due to her experience, knowledge of the Russian language, and contacts with leaders of various countries.
However, she has now made it clear that she is not ready to take on such a role. As a result, the question of who might act as a mediator in potential negotiations remains open for now.
Among other possible mediators, various European and international politicians have been named, but it is emphasized that such a figure must have the trust of both the European Union and Russia.
Earlier, Putin had proposed another former German Chancellor, his friend Gerhard Schröder, as a mediator, but the European Union did not support this idea.
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