Macron and Merz on the brink over Putin talks — Spiegel

French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to resume direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin has exposed deepening fractures in the Franco-German partnership, with Berlin responding cautiously and distancing itself from the initiative.

German government officials have played down Macron’s remarks, stressing that no concrete phone call with Putin has yet taken place and insisting that European unity on Ukraine remains intact, Caliber.Az writes, citing an article by Der Spiegel.

Behind the scenes, however, the French move appears to have caught Chancellor Friedrich Merz off guard, forcing Berlin to quietly sidestep the issue to avoid an open clash with Paris.

Macron recently said it would once again be “useful” to speak with Putin, arguing that the prospect of a ceasefire and negotiations in Ukraine is drawing closer. The Élysée later claimed that any such dialogue would be conducted “in full transparency” with Ukraine and European partners. While Germany reacted coolly, the Kremlin welcomed the signal, saying Putin was open to dialogue.

The episode underscores a broader pattern of discord between Europe’s two most influential capitals. Once presented as a revitalized leadership tandem, the Merz–Macron axis has struggled to coordinate on key strategic issues, from Ukraine policy and defense cooperation to trade and EU finances.

Analysts say Macron’s unilateral outreach risks weakening Europe’s collective leverage. “Talking to Putin is not necessarily wrong,” said Jacob Ross of the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP). “But Macron acting alone gives the Kremlin an opportunity to drive a wedge between Berlin and Paris.”

The disagreement comes at a sensitive moment. Germany remains Ukraine’s leading European backer in military and financial terms, while France seeks diplomatic visibility amid Macron’s declining domestic influence and limited remaining time in office. Both leaders are under pressure at home and increasingly competing for political leadership at the EU level.

Tensions have already surfaced in recent EU summits, including disputes over the use of frozen Russian assets, joint EU debt, and the stalled Mercosur trade agreement. The quarrel over Putin talks now adds a geopolitical dimension to what many observers see as a widening strategic gap.

While Merz has not ruled out talks with Putin in principle, Berlin insists that any engagement must be closely coordinated with allies. For now, the lack of alignment between Germany and France risks undermining Europe’s ability to act cohesively at a critical stage of the Ukraine war.