Zakharova Reveals: German Foreign Minister Sought Lavrov Meeting to Salvage Merz’s Declining Approval Ratings?
Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, linked the meeting between German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Sergey Lavrov to the declining support ratings of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
In an appearance on the program "Vladimir Solovyov's Sunday Night," Zakharova stated that German Foreign Minister Baerbock may have initiated talks with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov in order to demonstrate diplomatic activity and influence the public perception of Chancellor Merz’s political standing.
Zakharova suggested that the German side might have seen the meeting as a means to signal to its domestic audience that Berlin is actively engaged in foreign policy.
“All of this is necessary—somehow, even slightly, to counteract Merz’s continuous decline in public approval,” she said.
Previously, Zakharova disclosed that Berlin had requested restrictions on media access ahead of the Lavrov-Baerbock meeting.
Additionally, the Russian diplomat responded to Baerbock’s statement calling on Russia to “prove whether it desires peace,” citing a passage from the Gospel.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1877534547469321/
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