Hello, friends. My name is Maksym Nesvytailov, a political scientist and consultant. In this show, we discuss Friedrich Merz’s interview, which provides insight into Europe’s perspective on Russia’s war against Ukraine.
During his conversation with journalists, Merz analyzed whether Putin is truly interested in negotiating with Zelensky. Asked whether he believes in Putin’s intentions towards a ceasefire, Merz replied there is currently no reason to trust the Russian leader. He emphasized that Putin would only agree to talks if it benefits him, and, with the war continuing, he sees the situation in his favor.
Merz also noted that Putin’s actions largely depend on the US position, particularly Donald Trump, and on the attitudes of other world leaders, mentioning major international conferences such as Shanghai.
Special attention was paid to ways to compel Putin to negotiate. Merz suggested economic exhaustion, such as imposing tariffs on countries still trading with Russia, especially focusing on China and the need for secondary sanctions. He sees economic pressure as a key tool.
Maksym Nesvytailov, however, pointed out the need to combine sanctions with military support for Ukraine—a combined approach could turn the situation around. Success on the battlefield and increased economic pressure on Russia may force the Kremlin to reconsider and strengthen the West’s position.
Merz also directly called Vladimir Putin a war criminal, stating there can be no leniency for such leaders. Trump's attitude towards Putin was also discussed, raising concerns about his stance.
Maksym Nesvytailov encouraged the audience to share their thoughts in the comments, like the video, and subscribe to the channel for more content.
