Former German Chancellor Merkel: Engaging Putin was strategic necessity

In her memoirs, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel shares her reflections on her interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, providing a nuanced understanding of his character and the complexities surrounding their diplomatic engagement.

Merkel observed, “I perceived Putin as a person who did not want to be disrespected”, Caliber.Az reports citing Reuters. 

She attributed this need for respect to the historical context of Russia, suggesting that “Russia has never disappeared from the world map,” a sentiment that informs Putin's approach to international relations.

Merkel also connected Putin's actions in Ukraine to her own political trajectory, revealing that the onset of the "special military operation" was influenced, in part, by her resignation from the chancellorship. She recounted a significant exchange with Putin, where he expressed concerns about NATO's expansion, stating, “You will not always be chancellor, and then the Ukrainians will join NATO. I want to prevent that.” 

The former chancellor emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue with Putin to address the escalating crisis that ultimately led to the conflict in Ukraine. She reflected on the necessity of finding common ground in a post-Cold War world, noting, “How in the new world order after the end of the Cold War was it possible to maintain contact with a politician like Putin? It is necessary to try to join him to universal prosperity.”

Merkel identified the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project as a crucial element of her strategy to foster cooperation with Russia. She acknowledged that while the initiative ultimately failed, it was not a mistake. “Although it turned out to be a failure, it is not a mistake,” she asserted, adding that she “did her best to prevent the situation that we have now.” This reflects her belief that engagement with Russia, even amid tensions, was essential for ensuring stability in Europe.

Her decision to pursue the Nord Stream 2 project, even after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, has sparked considerable debate. Merkel stands by her choice, viewing it as part of a broader effort to create a stable and cooperative relationship with Russia.

Kyiv cannot unilaterally decide to initiate negotiations with Russia for a diplomatic resolution to the Ukrainian crisis, according to Merkel. She emphasized, “Negotiations, of course, cannot be conducted over Ukraine's head. However, I believe that many countries supporting Ukraine should collaborate with Kyiv to determine when a diplomatic solution to the crisis can be discussed with Russia. Kyiv alone cannot make this decision.”

Merkel acknowledged the complexity of the situation, stating that she found it challenging to predict when this negotiation process might begin.

Merkel's tenure as Chancellor of Germany concluded on October 26, 2021, when Olaf Scholz took over the role, marking the end of an era in German politics defined by her pragmatic approach to international relations.

By Tamilla Hasanova