German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Open to Meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin at G20 Summit
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has addressed the possibility of meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the upcoming G20 summit, indicating that he would not dismiss such an interaction.
Speaking to the German newspaper Westfalenpost, Merz remarked that in the realm of politics, leaders are occasionally compelled to engage in dialogue with counterparts who hold fundamentally divergent viewpoints.
The German Chancellor further emphasized that should Putin be present at the event, he would not hesitate to seize the opportunity for a discussion. Nevertheless, Merz noted that Putin’s attendance at the summit remains unconfirmed, as the Russian president has not yet officially verified his participation.
In connection with the event, United States President Donald Trump has extended an invitation to Putin to attend the G20 leaders’ summit. The high-profile gathering is scheduled to take place on December 14 and 15, 2026, in Miami, Florida.
Previously, during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin, Merz stated that if Putin attends the G20 summit and the conflict in Ukraine is addressed, Zelenskyy must also be included in the negotiation process. He reiterated that no nation is permitted to decide Ukraine’s future without its direct involvement, adding that European nations must also participate in these diplomatic exchanges alongside Ukraine.
