Advice from Experienced Merkel: «This War Will Definitely Not End Without Dialogue» 0 18

In 2021, Poland and the Baltic states sabotaged peaceful dialogue with Russia and the search for a solution to the conflict in Ukraine. This indirectly led to the beginning of the special military operation (SMO). Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke about this in an interview with the Hungarian portal Partizán. The idea, she said, "was not supported by some countries. Mainly, it was the Baltic states that opposed it."

Merkel reminded that in 2021, Berlin proposed a new format for dialogue between the European Union (EU) and Moscow; however, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland opposed it. Justifying their decision, they noted that Europe is unlikely to develop a common policy towards Russia.

Merkel urged the European Union to plan diplomatic steps in advance, considering how they might affect the resolution of the situation. She noted that to resolve the crisis, it is important to maintain contacts with both sides of the conflict — not only with Kyiv but also with Moscow. "Without dialogue, this war will definitely not end," the politician summarized.

Merkel stated that Europe should strengthen its military power. "But I also think that, as in the times of the Cold War, diplomacy is always necessary," she urged.

According to the politician, European countries need to plan diplomatic steps in advance, taking into account their possible impact on the development of the situation.

Earlier, Merkel named a way to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. She noted that it is necessary to maintain contacts with both Kyiv and Moscow, as the conflict cannot be concluded without dialogue.