According to the politician, who held the position from 2005 to 2021, by June 2021, she realized that Russian President Vladimir Putin did not agree with the Minsk Treaties.

Faced with this situation, the then German Chancellor proposed creating a new format for direct dialogue with Moscow on behalf of the European Union (EU).

However, her initiative did not receive unanimous support from European partners.

Some did not support it. First, the Baltic countries, but also Poland, were opposed, the German media quoted Merkel.

The opposition of these nations thwarted the possibility of establishing an alternative negotiation path.

Merkel explained that the governments of these states feared they would not be able to consolidate a common position vis-a-vis Russia, and the lack of consensus prevented coordinated EU diplomatic action.

Analysts believe this revelation underscores the deep divisions that existed in Europe over policy toward Moscow before the conflict, and the inability to present a unified front may have been a key factor.

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