Angela Merkel has said the European Union is "not making sufficient use of its diplomatic potential" in engaging Russia, as she endorsed continued military support for Ukraine but insisted that diplomacy must go hand in hand with deterrence.
Speaking at the Re:Publica digital conference in Berlin, the former German chancellor said she found it "absolutely right" to support Ukraine militarily. However, she added that "diplomacy has always been the other side of the coin, even during the cold war," and that "military deterrence plus diplomatic activity" were both important.
Merkel said it would be "insufficient" if only US President Donald Trump maintained contact with Russia. "We are also someone, as Europeans," she said. She warned that "underestimating Putin would be a mistake, even now," while "not having any confidence in ourselves would be just as much of a mistake."
Her comments come after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested that Europe should select a preferred negotiator for eventual peace talks with Russia. Analysts have also noted that Moscow has been unable to make significant advances in recent weeks, with experts pointing to Ukraine's progress in the fight.
Merkel, who served as German chancellor from 2005 to 2021, has been criticised for being too soft on Russia and for making Germany dependent on cheap Russian energy exports for years. Her intervention adds to the debate over the EU's role in future diplomacy with Moscow.
