Ready for a Chat with Merz, Says Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin shows willingness for conversation with the newly elected German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz. - Chancellor Merz and Putin prepared for dialogue
Let's get the ball rolling! Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown interest in having a natter with Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) of Germany, should the latter decide to pick up the phone. In St. Petersburg, Putin told the German Press Agency that if Merz wants to shoot the breeze, Russia would be all ears.
Potential Topics of Discussion
The stage is set for some intriguing conversations as the following topics seem ripe for debate:
1. Reviving Diplomatic Ties: With Putin expressing Russia's readiness to talk turkey if Merz is interested, it looks like diplomatic relations could be back on the menu. Previous discussions between European leaders and Putin were ongoing until they took a breather due to Europe's standoff with Russia. Putin seems open to jumping back in and rekindling those conversations, signaling a potential restart of negotiations[1][2].
2. Ukraine and Military Support: The ongoing conflict in Ukraine will likely steal the spotlight, with discussions revolving around Germany’s role as a mediator, military aid, and proposals for conflict resolution. Putin has his reservations about Germany's objectivity as a mediator, given its military support to Ukraine[2]. He's made it clear that if Germany continues supplying gear like Leopard tanks and perhaps Taurus missiles with Bundeswehr officers, it could spell trouble for bilateral relations[2].
3. Economic Matters: Given the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum backdrop, economic cooperation and establishing reliable financial flows might be on the table. Perhaps these conversations could include easing trade tensions or discussing sanctions[2].
4. Sanctions and Russia's Resilience: With Merz calling for harder sanctions against Russia, and Putin voicing opposition to such measures, sanctions and their impact could be a sensitive topic. Expect some spirited debate here[4].
5. Germany's Defense Strategy: With Merz's administration taking a tough stance on defense, cranking up defense spending, and gearing up for potential threats from Russia, as revealed by intel on Russia's military muscle-ups, this strategic shift could be part of the dialogue, potentially touching on NATO's role, European security, and mutual threat perceptions[3].
In light of their upcoming conversation, it's plausible that the community policy and general news topics, such as Germany's defense strategy and military support in Ukraine, will be addressed during the conversation as outlined in the policy-and-legislation and politics sections. Additionally, the employment policy might surface during discussions on economic matters when considering, for instance, German defense spending and its impact on job markets.
