"Got a bone to pick with Merz?" Putin proposes a chat if Chancellor initiates contact
Merz received an offer for a conversation from Putin.
In a candid interview with various media outlets, Russian President Vladimir Putin has openly discussed his thoughts on the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. For the first time, Putin has also addressed the newly elected German Chancellor, Friedrick Merz. He's proposed a conversation, but not before delivering a warning about potential consequences if Germany supplies Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.
Putin spoke candidly about Merz for the first time since his election. There's no record of direct communication between the two leaders, but Merz has publicly urged Putin to declare a ceasefire in Ukraine – to no avail. Merz is viewed skeptically in Russia, with relations between the nations at an all-time low.
Putin also dismissed the idea of Germany acting as a mediator in the Ukraine conflict. From Russia's perspective, Germany is not neutral; it stands with Ukraine. "Not only in Ukraine, but also in Kursk – on Russian territory – was German technology used," Putin argued.
Warning against supplying Taurus to Ukraine
When asked about the Taurus cruise missile, Putin expressed concern regarding Germany's involvement in the war if the German government enables its use by Ukraine. "If German officers control the Taurus, it means that soldiers from the German military will use German weapons to attack Russian territory." However, the Taurus is also a part of the arsenal in the armies of Sweden and Spain, and these nations don’t have German soldiers operating them.
According to Putin, the Taurus would have no impact on the course of the war as the Russian army has the strategic advantage on all fronts. "Our forces are advancing in every direction." In reality, the Russian forces are advancing in eastern Ukraine, but these gains come at great cost.
Conditions for a meeting with Zelensky
Once again, Putin set conditions for a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that are challenging to be met by Kyiv. "I am ready to meet with anyone, including Zelensky," said the Kremlin chief. The question that Putin emphasized is who will sign a peace agreement – indicating that Zelensky would need to be removed.
The outcomes of the ongoing conflict
Putin has questioned the authority of Zelensky to sign a peace deal, arguing that his five-year term is over due to martial law. Ukrainian leadership clarified that no elections can be held due to martial law, but Zelensky retains his power. Concurrently, Putin is accused of silencing political opposition in his nation using his authoritarian apparatus.
The peace talks, mediated by Turkey twice this year, will resume after June 22nd. Notable progress has been made in humanitarian issues, including the exchange of prisoners and the remains of fallen soldiers.
International tensions and collaboration
Putin reacted testily to a question about Russia's military actions compared to Israeli airstrikes on Iranian cities. "If they had witnessed our rockets supposedly destroy entire residential areas, they wouldn't have reported it. They wouldn't have survived," Putin hypothesized. Russia claims it only targets military objectives and arms factories, while the devastating damage to Ukraine's civilian infrastructure and the high civilian death toll in nearly three and a half years of war present a stark contrast.
Moreover, the possibility of Russia's militaristic intentions towards NATO countries has remerged. NATO members are increasing their defense spending to alleviate such concerns, but Putin scoffs at the claim that Russia is preparing to attack NATO territory, asserting that the Russian military is merely enhancing its capabilities to secure its own interests.
In light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, the Parliament, in a resolution, is urged to carefully consider the potential consequences of supplying Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, given its implications on political relations and general news. The proposed conversation between Putin and Merz, while acknowledging Merz's stance on the ceasefire in Ukraine, should not eclipse the importance of pursuing diplomatic resolutions to complex geopolitical issues in the Middle East.
