Merz Calls for Restoring Europe’s Relations with Russia

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Russia is a European country and that relations with it must be restored. According to him, achieving peace and freedom in Europe is impossible without building a balance with Europe’s largest neighbor, which he identified as Russia.

The context of the statement is linked to the prolonged crisis of European security and the absence of sustainable mechanisms of interaction between the EU and Moscow. Against the backdrop of military conflict and sanctions policy, contacts between the sides have been reduced to a minimum, increasing political and economic uncertainty in Europe.

Merz emphasized that a return to dialogue with Russia is a prerequisite for long-term stability. In his interpretation, restoring relations is not about tactical concessions but about shaping a new security architecture that would allow Europe to “withstand another test” and look confidently toward the future.

The political significance of the statement lies in the fact that such rhetoric has rarely been heard at the level of Germany’s leadership in recent years. This may indicate a growing awareness of the limits of an isolation policy and a search for alternative approaches within the EU.

At the same time, official contacts between Berlin and Moscow remain limited. According to Russia’s ambassador to Germany, diplomatic relations between the countries have not been formally severed, but interaction is at a minimal level. It remains unclear whether the chancellor’s statement will lead to practical steps or remain an element of political debate.