Diplomatic sources told the Financial Times this week that French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel were willing to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to a summit of European leaders.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday that the European Union had to create a “format for dialogue” with Russia and its President Vladimir Putin to settle differences.
“In my opinion, we as the European Union must also seek direct contact with Russia and the Russian president”, Merkel told the Bundestang. Climate and security were among the EU’s common strategic interests with Russia, the chancellor argued.