How Europe Should Speak with Putin

The question of how Europe should engage with Vladimir Putin, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, is a critical one, and the author of this piece believes Europe must forge its own path. While acknowledging Angela Merkel's point that Europe cannot solely depend on the United States, the article strongly cautions against relying on figures like Gerhard Schröder or even Merkel herself to represent European interests. Schröder is disqualified due to his overtly pro-Russian policies during his chancellorship, his subsequent lobbying for Russian energy interests, and his personal ties to Putin, rendering him a political has-been.

Merkel, despite her initial assertion, is also presented critically. Her past policies, particularly her approach to Russia in 2014-2015 and her late-career call for a regular EU-Russia diplomatic format, are seen as having inadvertently facilitated Putin's preparations for aggression. The article suggests that European politicians who were either financially influenced by Moscow or misled by Putin's tactics are unsuitable negotiators.

Instead, the author posits that any European representative should embody the stance of nations actively supporting Ukraine's defense and its integration into European structures. This, they argue, is the most effective bulwark against Moscow's imperial ambitions. However, the piece is skeptical about Putin's current willingness to negotiate in good faith, suggesting he is more interested in Ukraine's capitulation or using talks to buy time. True negotiation, the author contends, will only be possible when Putin is prepared to discuss substantive issues, not dictate terms or stall for strategic advantage. This perspective, originating from Slovakia (SME), emphasizes a strong, unified European stance against Russian aggression, prioritizing Ukrainian sovereignty and European security interests above appeasement or past diplomatic missteps.