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

[WaltzingToWalsingham]

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.

In one swoop he has changed Germanys status in Europe. Until now Germany has as previous posters have stated relied upon NATO for defence this is a major change in policy. If they spend what they have committed to Germany will have the largest defence budget in Europe and will become a major player, it is a final goodbye to the 80 years of post WW2 policy of non involvement. He has also cancelled the gas pipeline . All the historians were wiring up yesterday to say how profound d the changes in policy were in the long term

Anyone impressed by the eye roll video should also look at the pictures of Putin purposely intimidating Merkel, known to be scared of dogs, by bringing his dog into conference.

We can all pick and choose our memes to back up our arguments.

@fudging

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

led.

I do agree that Scholz et al are doing their best in a very difficult situation: this is no criticism of them. But I also think that Angela and Putin have history; they have worked together for years and I think there's a certain amount of mutual understanding and, perhaps, a grudging respect. As such, I think if anyone can talk Putin down from this, it's Angela.

I also think she's got the right blend of hawk/dove to get the best out of Putin - but I can see most PP's feel that she's been too soft with him previously, so perhaps I'm wrong about that. But I still think she could sweet talk him out of Ukraine in the short term.

Sweet talk him out of the Ukraine?
Yeah, course she could.

Lol. No way.

Putin didn't invade the Ukraine until Merkel was gone. Whatever their relationship, it was enough to stop him until Scholz took power.

@fudging

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

Oh for goodness sake Putin didn't put the nuclear weapons on standby because of Liz Truss.

And yes Merkel encouraged a dependence on Russian gas because she wanted to stop nuclear power after Fukishima.

She is also a cool head and doesn't rush into things. The cool head is an asset but we needed swift action here.

She wanted to stop nuclear power after Fukishima

A policy driven by the Greens in Germany, that actually led to an increase reliance on, er, Russian fossil fuels and no accelerated drive to renewables.

Also, how many tsunamis have there been in Germany exactly?

Sorry, what? Are you just arguing for the sake of arguing @annamagnani? Please review the facts about German renewable energy before posting. Also, your comment about Fukushima missed the mark. Forgotten about Chernobyl? Recently in the news again...

Ha ha ha ha ha

Maggie Thatcher would have had the problem solved already

What kind of respect do you think Putin has for a woman leader? Absolutely none at all.

Also Germany were slower to get on board with the EU sanctions than others so I don't think that would be the right choice.

Plus the Russian gas situation.

In any case, Putin is demented and won't listen to anyone. An assassin is needed, not Merkel.

Oh for goodness sake Putin didn't put the nuclear weapons on standby because of Liz Truss

Sadly, it was because her brilliant diplomacy and understanding of war law:

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/putin-ukraine-russia-truss-nuclear-b2024839.html

not

@teleskopregel

Putin didn't invade the Ukraine until Merkel was gone. Whatever their relationship, it was enough to stop him until Scholz took power.

There's absolutely nothing to suggest any correlation whatsoever. You could say the exact same about Donald Trump, afterall Putin didn't invade Ukraine until Trump was gone and Biden took over.

He didn't invade until the new series of Ozark was released either. Or until Bex had appeared on Dancing on Ice. Makes you think doesn't it.

I find the ignorance of some people just amazing. Merkel happily put Germany up Russia’s arse. Her idiotic decisions led to Germany not letting U.K. fly help to Ukraine through their airspace because they’re so dependent on Russia. She is slow and ponderous and would be absolutely useless in this situation. Putin never respected her!

And anyone who thinks Truss was responsible for the nuclear issue is either thick or a Russian bot. Even Sturgeon who hates Truss said it was laughable.

Bring back Blair I say!

The only way to deal with a war criminal is another war criminal

Bollocks @Somerford. It took the better part of a year to transition to Scholz, and as soon as it was finalised, Putin was off to the Ukraine. Not a coincidence. An opportune push for power.

I had a boss who was ex army.
His advice in all conflicts, from office to war.
You have to give them something to feel like they’ve won something.

Putin isn’t just walking away. He’s not giving up he needs ‘A’ win.

@teleskopregel

Bollocks *@Somerford*. It took the better part of a year to transition to Scholz, and as soon as it was finalised, Putin was off to the Ukraine. Not a coincidence. An opportune push for power.

You've just decided that the two things are related and declared yourself correct. Forgive me if I'm not at all persuaded.

But I still think she could sweet talk him out of Ukraine in the short term

No.

That’s right. Putin had so much respect for/ was frightened of Merkel he waited until she had gone. Hahahaha.

Merkel: mixed bag. Her time has passed. Hardly stepped up when Greece faced collapse. The current German Government has woken the country from a complacent slumber.