Germans DEMAND Russia Talks: Is Europe on the Brink of a SHIFT?!

It seems the German public is increasingly out of sync with its leadership when it comes to navigating the thorny issue of the Ukraine conflict. A new YouGov poll, reported by DPA news agency, reveals that a significant majority – a whopping 58% – of Germans actually favor direct talks between Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Russian President Vladimir Putin. That's quite a statement, considering the chill that's settled over relations between the West and Moscow.

Germans DEMAND Russia Talks: Is Europe on the Brin...

What's particularly interesting is that support for these direct negotiations is strongest (64%) *within* Merz's own conservative voter base. You'd think his constituents would be toeing the party line, but apparently not. It certainly puts the Chancellor in a bit of an awkward position, given his apparent reluctance to engage directly with Putin.

The poll, which surveyed over 2,000 Germans online last week, clearly highlights a desire for some kind of resolution, or at least a willingness to explore diplomatic avenues beyond the current stalemate. And look, who can blame them? Germany's economy has definitely felt the pinch since the conflict escalated, and energy prices haven't exactly been kind.

Merz, for his part, has been hesitant to jump back into direct dialogue, a practice largely abandoned by EU nations after 2022. He's expressed a preference for sticking to the existing Russia-US-Ukraine framework, but also hinted he'd participate if the EU was included. It's a bit of a tightrope walk, trying to balance international alliances with domestic sentiment.

Of course, the German opposition has been quick to seize on this. Alternative for Germany (AfD) MP Tino Chrupalla even called on Merz last month to "call Moscow and negotiate peace and prosperity," warning of looming "deindustrialization." Strong words, but they resonate with a segment of the population worried about the long-term economic impact.

And it's not just Germany. Even French President Emmanuel Macron has started to advocate for re-engagement with Russia, especially after feeling somewhat sidelined from those trilateral peace talks. The Kremlin confirmed that Paris and Moscow have at least restored some technical-level diplomatic contacts, which is something, I suppose.

But here's the kicker: according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, neither Macron *nor* Merz have actually picked up the phone and called Putin directly. "If you want and need to, you can simply call President Putin. Putin has never shied away from direct engagement," Peskov stated. So, the ball appears to be in their court. Whether they decide to take the shot, well, that remains to be seen. Maybe that German poll will give Merz the nudge he needs. We'll have to wait and see.

Read Full Article at RT.com: https://www.rt.com/news/594974-germany-merz-putin-talks/

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