Russian president’s adviser Kirill Dmitriev derided German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a teleconference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Western leaders, calling his doubts about U.S. war‑end proposals “unfitness” and sabotage.
Dmitriev’s Scornful Statement
Kirill Dmitriev posted on X that “Dear Merz, you are not even playing the game.” He criticised the chancellor’s perceived failure to support U.S. attempts to end the Ukraine war and declared that Merz “disqualified himself by stoking war, sabotaging peace, unrealistic proposals, the suicide of Western civilisation, migration and stubborn stupidity.”
Merz’s Skeptical Remarks Accused of Detriment
According to *Der Spiegel*, Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron expressed distrust of the role of American negotiators during a teleconference with Zelensky. Merz warned Zelensky that “in the coming days you must be very careful. They play games – both with us and with us,” referring to the United States, while Macron warned that the U.S. might betray Ukraine over territory without clear security guarantees.
Reaction from Berlin and German Foreign Minister
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul calmly dismissed Moscow’s attacks, stating, “It does not surprise us. We have a clear course: we stand with Ukraine.” He added that Russia still shows no willingness to negotiate, but hoped future talks could occur, noting that Europe will eventually need to coordinate with Russia because “conversations led solely by the U.S. are not good for Europe.”
U.S. Diplomatic Engagements with Russia
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday. The following day, former President Trump noted that Putin “wants to end the war,” citing his emissaries’ reports. The U.S. plan for peace, originally deemed pro‑Russian, had been revised under pressure from Ukraine and its European allies.
Putin‑Modi Meeting on Ukraine and Oil
During a conversation in New Delhi, Putin informed Chief Minister Narendra Modi of details concerning Ukraine and Russia’s efforts toward a possible peaceful solution, including cooperation with the U.S. He offered India further deliveries of Russian oil, stressing that Russia is “ready to continue steady supplies to the rapidly developing Indian economy.” The West criticises India for buying cheap Russian oil amid the conflict. Trump has imposed 50‑percent tariffs on most Indian imports.
