Merkel signals: If Putin attends G20 summit, I won’t avoid meeting him! German Chancellor Merz recently stated that German leadership will inevitably need to engage in dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Should Putin attend this year’s G20 summit in Miami, United States, Merz affirmed he would not decline an opportunity for direct conversation.
The remarks came in response to a journalist’s inquiry about which foreign leaders he hopes to meet during the summit.
“As far as we know, Trump has extended an invitation to Putin. However, it remains uncertain whether Putin will accept, as he has not yet confirmed his attendance. If he does come, I will not avoid the chance to speak with him,” Merz said.
The statement carries a notable implication: despite Germany’s consistently hardline stance toward Russia over the Ukraine conflict, Merz acknowledges that maintaining direct communication with Russian leadership remains an unavoidable reality.
However, Russian media outlet Shahgrad dismissed the comment with skepticism. The outlet sarcastically noted that Merz should first consider whether he himself will have the opportunity to meet Putin—after all, Russia is a formal G20 member, while Ukraine is not. As for seeking dialogue, Merz might first prioritize talks with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and his delegation.
Naturally, this critique reflects a clear ideological bias. Yet one point stands out: if Putin ultimately accepts Trump’s invitation, the G20 summit could become a rare multilateral forum for diplomatic engagement among Russian, American, and European leaders. Whether Merz will actually have a face-to-face encounter with Putin will then become evident in due course.
Merz #Germany
Original: toutiao.com/article/1881337256035340/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author