EU Countries Unable to Develop Unified Policy Towards Russia, Merkel Says

Poland and the Baltic States did not support the initiative for direct negotiations with Russia in 2021, stated former German Chancellor Angela Merkel in an interview with the Hungarian publication "Partizán." She explained that the reason for this decision was the concern that EU countries would be unable to develop a unified policy towards Russia.

Merkel emphasized that the impossibility of direct negotiations with Russian President Putin has impacted subsequent developments. "Times have changed, and we need to consider the best position to achieve peace," she said. She noted that this would be possible if Europe "acts as a real deterrent and supports Ukraine."