• Ar
  • Es
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Feature
  • Videos
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Feature
Videos
Infographs
In Pictures
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Europe
  4. Merkel: No point in my mediation to solve Ukraine crisis
Europe

Merkel: No point in my mediation to solve Ukraine crisis

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 8 Jun 2022 12:59

The former German Chancellor reveals that in 2021, she tried to engage Russian President Vladimir Putin in a dialogue with the European Union.

  • Former German chancellor Angela Merkel
    Former German chancellor Angela Merkel

Former German chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday defended her years-long policy toward Moscow, saying she had "nothing to apologize for."

In her first major interview since stepping down six months ago, Merkel said she had not been naive in her dealings with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Diplomacy isn't wrong just because it hasn't worked," the 67-year-old considered on stage in a Berlin theatre, in an interview broadcast on the Phoenix news channel.

She recalled the German-French efforts to keep the 2014 Minsk peace process for Ukraine alive. "I don't have to blame myself for not trying hard enough," the conservative ex-Chancellor said.

Engaging Putin in dialogue with the EU

Regarding the war in Ukraine, Merkel believed that she does not see any point in her mediation to resolve the war in Ukraine, adding that Kiev did not ask her to intervene in this matter.

She mentioned that in 2021, she tried to engage Russian President Vladimir Putin in a dialogue with the European Union, whose members did not agree on this issue.

It is noteworthy that on February 25, Merkel issued a public statement for the first time since leaving office, condemning Russia's special military operation in Ukraine.

The veteran leader, who frequently met with Putin during her 16 years in power and championed a commerce-driven, pragmatic approach toward Moscow, said the war had marked a "turning point".

Merkel insisted that the 2014-2015 Minsk peace pacts were at the time seen as the best bet to end the fighting in eastern Ukraine.

It is noteworthy that Germany became hugely reliant on Russian energy imports on Merkel's watch, and she long annoyed Western allies with her backing for the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline that was to double Russian gas deliveries to Germany.

The project was shelved by current Chancellor Olaf Scholz in late February over the war in Ukraine, and Europe's top economy is now joining EU partners in a race to limit their dependence on Russian oil, gas, and coal.

  • Europe
  • Olaf Scholz
  • minsk agreement
  • Russia
  • Germany
  • EU
  • France
  • Kiev
  • Ukraine
  • Nord Stream 2
  • Angela Merkel
  • Vladimir Putin
  • European Union
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Trending Now

All
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz leaves after a news conference, ahead of a one-day closed meeting of the German Cabinet at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Jan. 21, 2022 (AP)

Germany won't send fighter jets to Ukraine: Scholz

Most Read

Buzzfeed CEO Jonah Peretti (Getty Images)

Buzzfeed to use AI to write its articles after firing 180 employees

  • US & Canada
  • 27 Jan
Twitter headquarters is shown in San Francisco on Nov. 4, 2022 (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

FBI created dashboard to mislabel Twitter users as Russian bots

  • US & Canada
  • 27 Jan
The Russian-manufactured Marker 2 tank-striker (Military Review)

Russia reveals Marker 2 combat robots

  • Europe
  • 26 Jan
Russian troops entering Donetsk in March 2022 (Anadolu Agency)

Russian troops enter Vuhledar, block Ukrainian arms supply path

  • Europe
  • 26 Jan

Read this

All
Turkey Syria
MENA

Turkey drains northern Syria, pollutes its Euphrates: Report

  • 31 Jan
London High Court examines legality of UK resuming Saudi arms sales
MENA

London High Court examines legality of UK resuming Saudi arms sales

  • 31 Jan
Human Rights Watch accuses Ukraine of using banned mines
Europe

Human Rights Watch accuses Ukraine of using banned mines

  • 31 Jan
President Joe Biden listens during a news conference with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the 10th North American Leaders' Summit at the National Palace in Mexico City, January 10, 2023 (AP).
US & Canada

Biden health examination delay becomes cause of concern

  • 31 Jan
Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS