Merkel Supports Idea of Holding EU Meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin

German Chancellor Angela Merkel supports the idea of holding a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the European Union, according to AP. The idea was rejected last week by the EU's eastern member states. At the summit, EU leaders agreed only to 'explore the formats and conditions for dialogue with Russia,' without mentioning high-level meetings or plans for a summit with Putin.

It is worth noting that the idea was put forward by Germany and France. 'The concern was that we might not be able to stand together as a united front, and such a summit certainly requires intensive preparatory work,' Merkel stated. She mentioned that this would allow Europeans to 'get answers to all the questions that concern them, as well as to the questions they want to cooperate on.'

Pointing to concerns such as 'hybrid attacks,' which Germany, France, Italy, and the Baltic states accuse Russia of, Merkel added, 'It is better to not just talk among ourselves about this but also confront the President of Russia on these issues and say that under such a foundation, mutually beneficial cooperation cannot exist... The U.S. president has made this clear (to Putin), so why can't Europe do the same,' Merkel said.

'Russia-EU relations are currently not at their best, but even during the Cold War, we spoke with each other,' Merkel noted. 'So I believe that silence is not a solution to problems.'