Ex-German Diplomat: Europe Missed Chance to Negotiate with Russia in 2021
Quick Look
- Former German diplomat Sigmar Gabriel stated that Europe missed a crucial opportunity to negotiate with Russia in 2021, despite efforts by then-Chancellor Angela Merkel.
- Gabriel believes the US has since taken the lead in dialogue with Russia and urged Europeans to actively seek a negotiating mandate.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Former German diplomat Sigmar Gabriel believes Europe missed a critical chance to negotiate with Russia in 2021, a time when then-Chancellor Angela Merkel attempted to initiate dialogue but faced criticism. Gabriel argues that this failure led to the US taking over leadership in discussions with Russia.
BERLIN, June 11. /TASS/. Europe missed the chance to negotiate with Russia in 2021, despite attempts by the then German Chancellor Angela Merkel to maintain the thread of dialogue, Germany’s ex-top diplomat Sigmar Gabriel (2017-2018) told Bild in an interview.
"Let me remind you that the last European Council meeting Angela Merkel attended was in 2021. That was before the war broke out. At that time, Angela Merkel told her colleagues, ‘We need to put together a small group and negotiate with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’," Gabriel said. However, he continued, the former German Chancellor "was heavily criticized in the media and received hardly any support."
"The truth is, she was right. That was the last time we had a chance to negotiate ourselves. When we failed to seize that opportunity, when the Europeans took themselves out of the game - then, so to speak, the US took over the leadership," the ex-top diplomat argued.
According to Gabriel, "the Europeans would be foolish not to try to get their foot" in negotiations with Russia. He named Merkel and Finnish President Alexander Stubb as possible mediators in dialogue with Russia. When the reporter pointed out that Merkel had already rejected such a role, Gabriel said he would be surprised if the Europeans asked her and she said no. The Europeans now need to "sit down and decide who gets the negotiating mandate," he concluded.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Europe will attempt to establish a unified negotiating mandate with Russia.
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- What specific criticisms did Angela Merkel face in the media for her proposal?
- What were the exact reasons for the lack of support for Merkel's initiative among European colleagues?
- What are the current US policies and approaches regarding negotiations with Russia?
- What specific steps should Europe take to secure a negotiating mandate?
