Merkel Says She Lacked Power to Influence Putin's Plan on Ukraine

Angela Merkel confirmed that if she was nominated again as German chancellor, she would seek to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Merkel admitted that at the end of her term as chancellor, she was not able to influence the developing situation around Ukraine and at the level of the European Union, in order to create a new form of discussion with Moscow.

"I sought talks with Vladimir Putin on Ukraine near the end of her term, but the plans fell through due to her waning influence."

"If I submit my candidacy again, I will continue to seek to meet the Russian president, and during my last visit to the Kremlin in August 202, I felt that my time had passed in the context of politics. For Putin, only power counts." she said.

Regarding foreign policy, she added, "I didn't get an extra millimeter in the end in what we've tried repeatedly, not just with respect to Ukraine. Transnistria, Moldova, Georgia, Abkhazia, Syria, Libya."

"It's time for a new approach," she added.

However, Merkel admitted that she is still happy that she has given Ukraine, through the "Minsk Accords", a head start in this preparation.