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Original poster

To want Angela Merkel to take charge of the Ukraine situation?

56 replies

WaltzingToWalsingham · 01/03/2022 11:06

Does anybody else wish that Angela Merkel could be persuaded to come out of retirement and sort out this problem with Putin? Despite his silly prank with the dog, I feel that Angela Merkel's blend of firmness and diplomacy is just the right approach for Putin, and he might listen to her. She is the only person I can think of who could put Putin across her knee (metaphorically speaking) and sort him out. I always had confidence in her and I miss her so much in these times of crisis.

OP posts:
x2boys · 01/03/2022 11:15

Right ok 🤔

teleskopregel · 01/03/2022 11:16

I said the same to DH, but he thinks Scholz is doing a good job. Plus, Putin's press releases seem like he has lost the plot, so not sure that Merkel would have done anything differently...

sadpapercourtesan · 01/03/2022 11:18

Intriguing fantasy life you have there OP Grin but yes, I do think Merkel would have been an enormous asset in this situation. I don't think the current German chancellor is doing a bad job, though. Germany's position is quite difficult and they're charting a reasonable course, I think.

It would be awfully nice if Putin just keeled over and died, wouldn't it? Accidentally brutally stabbed himself in the stomach while shaving, something like that.

Justcallmebebes · 01/03/2022 11:22

Angela Merkel has some responsibility for the mess we are in with Russia. She adopted a soft policy towards Russia and encouraged Germany's dependence on Russian gas and oil.

The truth is that all of the western leaders are guilty of turning a blind eye whilst Russia (and China) have consistently over the years built up their arsenals and encouraged western reliance on their resources

nightwakingmoon · 01/03/2022 11:22

Not sure Putin would be that acquiescent! He’s a notorious misogynist. Plus that famous clip of Angela Merkel rolling her eyes when he was talking to her is fantastic, but I would think he’s seen it and was hopping mad about it 🤣

Martianworld · 01/03/2022 11:23

It's been Merkel constantly stepping up for Russia that has led us to this point! She's put trade before security. And she never even made Germany's full contribution to NATO. CF.

cyclamenqueen · 01/03/2022 11:25

TBH Angela Merkl has perused policies which have given Putin the power he has . She perused the gas pipeline meaning that Germany is massively reliant on Russian energy sources and she refused to allow Germany to play a full role in NATO or provide Ukraine with arms because of Germany invading Russia in WW2. Merkle has always appeased Putin and he has believed that he could get away with walking into Ukraine. The fact that Germany has now committed to spending 2% plus of GDP on defence and to send weapons to Ukraine is the biggest change in European politics for decades.

ILoveAllRainbowsx · 01/03/2022 11:25

@Martianworld

It's been Merkel constantly stepping up for Russia that has led us to this point! She's put trade before security. And she never even made Germany's full contribution to NATO. CF.
Exactly.

She is partly responsible for this mess.

She put trade with Russia above Ukraine. We and the US told her to stop but she did not listen.

ItsCanardBruv · 01/03/2022 11:25

@Justcallmebebes

Angela Merkel has some responsibility for the mess we are in with Russia. She adopted a soft policy towards Russia and encouraged Germany's dependence on Russian gas and oil.

The truth is that all of the western leaders are guilty of turning a blind eye whilst Russia (and China) have consistently over the years built up their arsenals and encouraged western reliance on their resources

👏👏👏

And the West convinced themselves the rest of the globe just wanted to “level-up”, sing kum by aah and love thy neighbour.

cyclamenqueen · 01/03/2022 11:26

Not sure why persued was changed to perused

teleskopregel · 01/03/2022 11:26

So much of our resources for heating here in Germany comes from Russia, so it was surprising (but pleasing) that Scholz was so firm about stopping the pipeline. To me, it was a good initial indicator of his leadership.

Drywhitefruitycidergin · 01/03/2022 11:27

I'm no expert & haven't checked German papers or asked my colleagues to see how it is being perceived there, but have been impressed with Olaf Schulz's approach so far.
Really tough situation with gas reliance & he has been decisive and stepped up immediately.

fudging · 01/03/2022 11:27

Angela Merckel or Liz Truss?
Only one has lead to nuclear weapons being put on standby...

sadpapercourtesan · 01/03/2022 11:28

@cyclamenqueen

Not sure why persued was changed to perused
Because it's spelt "pursued" Grin
fudging · 01/03/2022 11:28

Someone who understands diplomacy, anyone would be better than the UK's efforts at defusing the situation.

teleskopregel · 01/03/2022 11:28

It has been obvious for a while that Putin was after the Ukraine, but to do it mid-winter and at the beginning of the new Chancellorship makes me wonder if he would have done the same with Merkel in charge.

hungrywalrus · 01/03/2022 11:30

She presided over Germany exiting nuclear energy in favour of cheap Russian gas. If they close the taps, the lights will go out.

Cherryblossoms85 · 01/03/2022 11:31

If she could get close enough to stab him, sure. Otherwise, wouldn't make much difference.

cyclamenqueen · 01/03/2022 11:32

@sadpapercourtesan of course ( 🤦‍♀️ Blush

teleskopregel · 01/03/2022 11:33

Actually, that is not strictly correct. Renewable energy was the aim @hungrywalrus and according to our news reports this morning, the Nordstream cancellation has given us the impetus to take some more responsibility in becoming energy independent.

AnnaMagnani · 01/03/2022 11:35

Given that Angela Merkel's entire policy direction towards Russia has now been discredited overnight - NO!

In literally one week Germany has ditched the entire legacy of Angela Merkel

  • the Nordstream2 pipeline which increased Germany's dependency on Russian gas for energy
  • agreed to finally increase it's military spending to NATO requirements and beyond while Angela had let their army dwindle
  • agreed to fund arms rather than just gestures like helmets to Ukraine
  • I could go on and on

Putin never struck when she was in power because he didn't need to - she just gave him everything he wanted and more.

Chely · 01/03/2022 11:36

We need a meme of Putin being spanked over Merkel's knee now 🤣🤣

Kilimanjaro97 · 01/03/2022 11:43

Merkel made a strategic error when she increased German dependence on Russian oil and gas by closing down nuclear and coal.

She presided over the decline of the German armed forces to such an extent that even their Generals have said they are an embarrassment. It has taken a left wing -green -liberal coalition to agree to reverse this.

She failed to get Germany to pay their legally contracted 2% of GDP to NATO - while simultaneously relying on NATO to defend Germany against outside attacks.

I think she did have a reasonable relationship wih Putin when she first came to power in 2005. This may have been based on their shared East German experience and shared languages. But most of what Germany has done since 2005 has benefitted Russia. Also Putin has changed over the past decade and she failed to recognise that and adapt her tactics accordingly.

Oblomov22 · 01/03/2022 11:45

"but have been impressed with Olaf Schulz's approach so far. "

Done very little. How is that impressive?

Movingonup22 · 01/03/2022 11:50

I just watched the eye roll video Grin