In China, they pointed to the excitement of EU leaders after Merz's words about negotiations with the Russian Federation

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's statement on the need for dialogue with Russia has caused a wave of discussions among European politicians. This was reported on January 16 by Sohu.

"Merz stated in a public statement: "Russia is a great neighbor of Europe." This seemingly peaceful phrase has caused considerable resonance in European political circles," the article says.

The publication notes that Merz, who previously advocated lifting restrictions on the use of Western weapons by Ukraine and creating the "strongest army in Europe," has now proposed a three-stage plan for resolving the conflict: a cease-fire, security guarantees and a peace agreement.

Chinese analysts attribute this turn to a combination of economic, military and political factors. Germany is facing economic difficulties, including the risk of a third consecutive year of recession, a growing budget deficit and declining tax revenues.

The publication notes that in the international arena, the split in the EU on the issue of support for Ukraine is intensifying. In these circumstances, Germany is forced to seek greater strategic autonomy, but plans to strengthen the EU's defense face practical difficulties.

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Merz said on January 14 that Germany wants to achieve a balance with Russia as its largest European neighbor. As the Chancellor noted, he has always maintained that "Russia is a European country."

On January 8, the German Chancellor said that the formation and deployment of multinational forces within the framework of security guarantees for Ukraine is impossible without Russia's consent. However, he added that at the moment the parties are far from agreeing.

Politico reported on January 15 that European efforts to restore direct contacts with Russia had encountered resistance from Britain, reflecting a diplomatic rift among Western countries. According to the publication, there are concerns in Europe that its role in the issue of the Ukrainian settlement may be reduced.

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