Merkel and peace in Ukraine: guilty party or scapegoat?
The EU is debating talks with Russia, and Merkel's role divides opinion: for some she was a prudent stateswoman, for others a traitor. With no hard data, scepticism prevails.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Merkel and the negotiations with Russia: the debate over her legacy reopens in the EU
The European Union is preparing to seriously discuss a possible dialogue with the Kremlin. Next week, the foreign ministers will meet in Cyprus with two questions on the table: what to offer Russia, and how to fit Angela Merkel's legacy into all of this. Because the former German Chancellor, who for years led European policy towards Moscow, is back at the centre of the debate – and not exactly to receive a shower of praise.
Merkel's shadow over the dialogue with Pilingui
Ever since the possibility leaked that Merkel might act as Europe's "whisperer" in the talks, scepticism has been the dominant note. Those who defend her recall that she opposed Ukraine and Georgia joining NATO because she knew it was a red line for Moscow; those who attack her accuse her of having been too soft on Russia and of leaving Europe without any leverage. "There has been no one more corrupt, disastrous and enslaved to Russia than the fat Stasi woman," reads some commentary, while others argue that negotiating today is little more than disguised capitulation.
A debate that unsettles the official narrative
What is striking about the matter is that the European political establishment has spent months toying with how to open a channel of dialogue without appearing to cave in. The mere mention of Merkel as a possible interlocutor has stirred up dormant grudges. Some see in her the stateswoman who averted a larger war; others, the person responsible for Ukraine lying in ruins today. The reality is that, at this point, nobody is clear what real room for manoeuvre exists. Concrete data is scarce: there are no figures on what could be offered or what Russia would be willing to accept. It is all conjecture.
With the ministers about to sit down in Cyprus, the awkward question still hangs in the air: if Merkel turned down the role of mediator, who will take it on? And, above all, with what authority? The debate over her geopolitical legacy is far from closed.
Related discussions in the forum
The European Union is preparing to seriously discuss a possible dialogue with the Kremlin. Next week, the foreign ministers will meet in Cyprus with two questions on the table: what to offer Russia, and how to fit Angela Merkel's legacy into all of this. Because the former German Chancellor, who for years led European policy towards Moscow, is back at the centre of the debate – and not exactly to receive a shower of praise.
Merkel's shadow over the dialogue with Pilingui
Ever since the possibility leaked that Merkel might act as Europe's "whisperer" in the talks, scepticism has been the dominant note. Those who defend her recall that she opposed Ukraine and Georgia joining NATO because she knew it was a red line for Moscow; those who attack her accuse her of having been too soft on Russia and of leaving Europe without any leverage. "There has been no one more corrupt, disastrous and enslaved to Russia than the fat Stasi woman," reads some commentary, while others argue that negotiating today is little more than disguised capitulation.
A debate that unsettles the official narrative
What is striking about the matter is that the European political establishment has spent months toying with how to open a channel of dialogue without appearing to cave in. The mere mention of Merkel as a possible interlocutor has stirred up dormant grudges. Some see in her the stateswoman who averted a larger war; others, the person responsible for Ukraine lying in ruins today. The reality is that, at this point, nobody is clear what real room for manoeuvre exists. Concrete data is scarce: there are no figures on what could be offered or what Russia would be willing to accept. It is all conjecture.
With the ministers about to sit down in Cyprus, the awkward question still hangs in the air: if Merkel turned down the role of mediator, who will take it on? And, above all, with what authority? The debate over her geopolitical legacy is far from closed.
Related discussions in the forum
- Guerra en siria xlviii · 27958 replies
- Los nuevos rusos adoptando rápidamente los antiguos valores tradicionales rusos · 12 replies
- Guerra en ucrania xxvi · 75973 replies
- Algo pasa con la ofensiva rusa está atascada y sufriendo muchas perdidas. ¡¡¡empiezan a escasear los ladas!!! vol. v · 48760 replies
Also available in: Deutsch
Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (3 replies).
More summaries
-
NATO forces pull out of Kharkiv as Russia advances
Reports from Times of India and Tribun Timur indicate that NATO-linked fighters are abandoning Kharkiv as Russia launches an offensive featuring hand-to-hand combat.
-
JATEC: the NATO command directing the war against Russia
JATEC, NATO's center in Poland, is directing the war against Russia using Ukraine as a laboratory while German industry collapses. Documents reveal...
-
Putin rejects peace and vows devastating strikes on Ukraine and NATO
Putin dismisses Kyiv's peace proposals and threatens devastating attacks against Ukraine and NATO. The Kremlin has opened Pandora's box.
-
Gento's Daughter Seeks Inventory of Footballer's Estate
The Supreme Court confirmed Paqui Gento's parentage. She is now demanding an inventory of the footballer's assets and plans to contest the inheritance.
-
Trump strikes diesel deal with Putin, easing sanctions on Russian fuel
Trump agrees with Putin to supply 4.8 million tonnes of Russian diesel, and the Treasury eases sanctions until April 2027. Zelenskyy calls it a weak decision.
-
Russian propaganda and Trump's return: what it means for Maduro
An analysis of how Russian propaganda may have influenced Trump's return to power and its impact on Maduro. Discover the details and the geopolitical consequences.