Merz Open to Talk with Putin, But No Plans Yet German Government Affirms Willingness to Hold Conversation with Russian President

The federal government has confirmed that Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) is fundamentally willing to hold a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but there are currently no concrete plans for it.

A conversation about the will to converse makes no sense, said Deputy Government Spokesman Steffen Meyer to the dts news agency on Monday. They have always stated that they are naturally fundamentally willing to do so, but that it must make sense. He stated that it is necessary to speak on a reasonable basis, in a reasonable setting, and with clear goals and at a certain level of equality, according to Meyer. If that moment comes, the Chancellor has said that he will seize and take advantage of that moment. They are not available for sham conversations.

Merz had set a new tone regarding a possible conversation with Putin over the weekend. At an event for the Westfalenpost, he said that a German Federal Chancellor must talk with Putin sometime. This could happen, for example, at the G20 summit in Miami in mid-December. However, Merz said that one must be well prepared for such a meeting. Until now, reports from the Chancellor's circle have always indicated that the conditions for a conversation with Putin are currently not met.