Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called on European Union leaders to engage in direct talks with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, but she has rejected the idea of mediating in this diplomatic row with Moscow.
She made this statement on May 18 on the sidelines of the WDR European Forum, which is taking place in Berlin.
Merkel, in particular, made it clear that she did not consider herself a suitable candidate for the role of negotiator, as she is a former diplomat. She noted that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin would “take seriously” only current European leaders.
Also, according to the former German Chancellor, Europe is not using its diplomatic potential enough, and therefore called on the bloc's senior officials to “make more efforts” to end the Russian Federation's war against Ukraine and “to trust their own forces more.”
“What is our goal in this conflict? In my opinion, the goal is that at the end of it there will be a Ukraine that can freely make its own decisions. And I think it is absolutely right what we have done in terms of military support (to Kyiv – ed.). I also think it is right that we are doing much more for the deterrent effect than just supporting Ukraine. I regret that, in my opinion, Europe is not using its diplomatic potential enough,” she said.
In addition, Merkel stated that she “would like to see a common EU position” that needs to be developed.
“Everyone who is responsible today is responsible for doing what is necessary,” she said, adding that she does not believe it is enough for US President Donald Trump alone to maintain contacts with the Russian authorities.
Prior to these statements by the former German Chancellor, Politico wrote that the EU is allegedly considering the candidacies of Merkel, former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb as negotiators for the bloc in the peace process to end the Russian-Ukrainian war.
On May 11, European Foreign Minister Kaia Kallas opposed former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder serving as the EU's mediator in the negotiation process regarding Russia's war against Ukraine, as proposed by Putin.
“Gerhard Schroeder was a high-ranking lobbyist for Russian state-owned companies. So it's understandable why Putin wants him to be this person, so that he can actually, you know, sit on both sides of the negotiating table,” DW quoted her as saying.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga also stated that Kyiv does not support Schroeder's candidacy, noting that in Europe “there are many worthy leaders” to play the role of mediator in the negotiation track.