“Stubborn Stupidity”: Putin’s Negotiator Mocks Merz

 

“Russia is reacting with scorn to the distrust expressed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz towards US negotiators in the Ukraine war, which, according to media reports, was voiced during a confidential telephone conference of top European politicians.  “Dear Merz, you’re not even in the game,” wrote Russian chief negotiator Kirill Dmitriev on the platform X.

 

“You have disqualified yourself through warmongering, torpedoing peace, unrealistic proposals, the suicide of Western civilization, migration, and stubborn stupidity,” he added.

 

Dmitriev was reacting to a “Spiegel” report about the transcript of a crisis call in which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also participated. According to the report, Merz allegedly told Zelenskyy regarding the US negotiators: “They are playing games, both with you and with us.”

 

Dmitriev is Putin’s negotiator in the talks with Washington. Dmitriev, who studied in the US, is considered a skilled diplomat who primarily relies on economic incentives in his dealings with the administration of US President Donald Trump.”

America’s Vice President Vance's Characterization of Merz:

  While European leaders (including Merz) have privately expressed wariness and distrust of the peace negotiations led by Trump's envoys, referring to them as "playing games," J.D. Vance's public statements have been directed more broadly at "European authorities" for their handling of the migration crisis and the related risk of "civilizational suicide", like Mr. Dmitriev of Russia about Mr. Merz..

China acknowledges Merz's tougher rhetoric, including his description of relations being shaped by "systemic rivalry and power politics". Chinese state media reports on Merz's commitment to "de-risk" from China and mentions his concerns about economic dependence on authoritarian regimes.

It seems that Merz is putting all major powers against himself at the time when his Germany’s industry and ability to protect itself goes slowly down the drain.

This scenario highlights the challenges Merz faces in balancing Germany's economic interests, security needs, and diplomatic relationships in a rapidly changing world order. Key areas of apparent conflict include:

 

    US Peace Negotiations: European leaders, including Merz, are reportedly skeptical of Trump's envoys, seeing their approach to peace talks as potentially unserious or "playing games."

    European Migration Crisis: J.D. Vance's statements, echoing comments from sources like Mr. Dmitriev, criticize European authorities and warn of "civilizational suicide" regarding their handling of migration, placing Merz within the scope of this criticism.

    China Relations: Merz has shifted toward a more confrontational approach, emphasizing "systemic rivalry" and a need to "de-risk" from economic dependence on authoritarian regimes, a stance noted by Chinese state media.

 

The conclusion is that Merz is isolating Germany diplomatically at a moment of internal industrial and military vulnerability.