German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who wanted to send his country’s forces for a new military campaign to the East, was left isolated and now wants to sit down at the negotiating table with Russia. He realized that the Americans were abandoning him, leaving Europe behind, and that a return to realpolitik in a multipolar world was underway, which must include cooperation with Russia.

This new realpolitik suggests cooperation on security and especially economic issues. The Americans are leaving Europe to handle its own affairs, and Germany needs to prioritize its own interests, including those with the Old Continent, which also involves Russia.

At a New Year’s reception at the Chamber of Commerce, Merz, discussing plans for the upcoming year, expressed hope for restoring balance in relations with Moscow, Die Welt reported on January 15.

“If we manage to bring peace and freedom back to Europe, if we finally find a balance in relations with our largest European neighbor, I’m talking about Russia, if peace reigns, if freedom is ensured – if we succeed in all this, then the EU, then we in Germany will pass this next test and be able to look to the future with confidence after 2026,” he told business officials in Halle.

The Chancellor said his comment was not because he was in the east of Germany.

“I say this wherever I am in Germany,” he said, adding that “Russia is a European country.”

Merz actually agreed with France and Italy on whether Europe should restart direct negotiations with Russia, specifically with President Vladimir Putin.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated earlier this month that Europe should restart dialogue with Russia to try to gain more influence in negotiations over Ukraine. She suggested that the EU should appoint an envoy to negotiate directly with Putin. French President Emmanuel Macron has also discussed the possibility of re-engaging, mentioning in December the need for a “fullsome dialogue” with Moscow within weeks if a strong and lasting peace for Ukraine is not achieved in the meantime.

Europe is aware that the war in Ukraine cannot be won the way the British imagined, and that it is time to focus on its own interests. Merz has finally understood this, too.

The Germans have long understood that a return to realpolitik in a future, multipolar world is necessary because they are in serious trouble—socially and especially economically. Merz is losing ground in Germany. His coalition and majority are hanging in the balance, which is why he wants to reconcile with Russia to help improve the economic situation, while also not wanting to remain outside Italy and France, which are key EU countries.

To stay relevant, even regarding the EU and German interests through the EU, Merz is leaning toward what realpolitik truly is: Europe as an entity—a continent that includes Russia in politics, the economy, culture, and influence, essentially, as a force.

Among all the EU countries mentioned, Germany is in the most difficult position and must therefore protect its interests, mainly in the economy, because Germany’s standing in the future depends on it. Germany has no military power, no nuclear weapons. Therefore, it must manage its economy effectively. Ensuring Germany’s economic future relies on the European dimension and cooperation with Russia.

At the same time, it is beyond doubt for all, except Great Britain, that Russia is the winner in the war in Ukraine and that reconciliation will have to occur.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has rejected suggestions from Paris and Rome that European allies should consider re-establishing diplomatic contacts with Putin as part of efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

“I think what we need is evidence that Putin actually wants peace and at the moment, I’m still not seeing that,” Cooper told POLITICO. “I think we’ve still got to be ready alongside this really important work to put increased pressure, economic pressure, and also through the military support to Ukraine, that military pressure on Russia as well.”

According to POLITICO, the Foreign Secretary’s comments come amid concerns that the EU could be sidelined if Washington takes the lead in future negotiations with Moscow, which has already prompted actions in Brussels to bolster the bloc’s influence, including plans to establish a dedicated EU envoy to Ukraine to secure a seat at the table in upcoming talks.

In this way, Britain is the last major European power to oppose beginning reconciliation efforts with Moscow.

This is not unnoticed in the Kremlin, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov telling reporters on January 16 that “Britain continues to take a radical stance.”

“Nonetheless… the statements by the three leaders (of Italy, France, and Germany) represent significant progress from our perspective,” Peskov continued, adding that such a shift, if it reflected those countries’ strategic vision, was in line with how Moscow believes things should evolve.

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Ahmed Adel is a Cairo-based geopolitics and political economy researcher. He is a regular contributor to Global Research.

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