"We tried to find a way out of even the most difficult situations": Putin thanked Merkel for joint work

On Wednesday, December 8, the 16-year era of Angela Merkel's tenure as chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany ended.

In this regard, Russian leader Vladimir Putin sent her a telegram in which he expressed his gratitude for the fruitful cooperation and readiness for a mutually respectful dialogue.

At the same time, the president deviated a little from diplomatic norms and turned to Merkel as “you”.

“We were constantly in contact and tried to find ways out of even the most difficult situations.

During your years at the head of the German government, you have rightfully earned high prestige in Europe and around the world, ”the text of the telegram is quoted on the Kremlin's website.

“I am sure that your rich experience as a statesman and politician will be invariably in demand.

And, of course, we will continue our friendly communication, ”Putin added.

We will remind, back in October 2018, Merkel announced that she would not run for the Chancellor's post for the fifth time and would leave politics as soon as her term of office expired.

On December 2, 2021, a farewell ceremony for the outgoing Merkel was held in Berlin.

The ceremonial act "Great Evening Dawn" was organized by the Bundeswehr and broadcasted by German TV channels.

During the celebrations, the orchestra performed several compositions, including three of Merkel's choice.

In particular, she chose the song "You Forgotten the Color Film" (Du hast den Farbfilm vergessen) by the GDR singer Nina Hagen.

Social Democratic representative Olaf Scholz was elected as the new chancellor.

After the vote in the Bundestag, whose deputies applauded Merkel, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier presented his credentials to Scholz, who then took the oath of office.

During the ceremony that followed, Merkel turned over the affairs to her successor.

Putin also congratulated Scholz on taking office.

In his address, the President expressed his hope for establishing a constructive dialogue with the new Chancellor and building joint work on topical issues of the bilateral and international agenda.

“This, undoubtedly, would meet the fundamental interests of Russians and Germans, would contribute to strengthening stability and security at the regional and global levels,” the president stressed.

At the end of October, Merkel herself spoke about the different points of view with Putin, which were manifested in the process of the work of the two leaders.

In an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung, she said that she had serious disagreements with the Russian leader.

As an example, she cited the topic of the collapse of the USSR, which, according to her, Putin views as a tragic event.

The Chancellor said that in Germany then "on the contrary, they felt the joy of the end of the Cold War, the joy of German and European unity."

We add that the press secretary of the Russian president Dmitry Peskov in October drew attention to the fact that after Merkel's departure from the post of chancellor, Putin will remain "the only active witness" of the Minsk agreements.

“Then four people personally took part in their development: Poroshenko, Hollande, Merkel and Putin.

There is no Poroshenko, Hollande is far away (I mean in political terms), Merkel is already acting, and only Putin remains, "he said in an interview with the Moscow.

Kremlin.

Putin "on the TV channel" Russia 1 ".

"And these three - they do not understand, or, more precisely, do not want to understand that this very text is the cornerstone of the solution to the internal Ukrainian conflict," Peskov emphasized.

Merkel's farewell visit

Merkel last visited Russia in the status of German Chancellor on August 20, 2021.

The conversation between the two leaders lasted for about three hours instead of the planned two.

During a press conference following those talks, Merkel gave her assessment of a number of events, and also spoke about Nord Stream 2.

In particular, she noted that this gas pipeline is not a Russian-German project, other European states are participating in it.

In turn, Putin asked Merkel to influence Kiev to resolve the situation in Donbass.

The parties also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and Belarus, and a number of other issues.

Putin also stressed that Merkel will always be welcomed in Russia as a welcome guest.

“Of course, our views did not always coincide, but the dialogue between us was frank, meaningful, aimed at finding compromises, at solving the most difficult issues,” the president stated.