The rift between French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz has deepened after the French leader proposed resuming dialogue with the Russian leadership, German newspaper Der Spiegel writes.
According to the newspaper, Macron's move appears not to have been coordinated with Mertz and the chancellor was left to ostentatiously ignore the initiative in order to avoid an open confrontation with France.
Der Spiegel notes that the differences between the two leaders are becoming increasingly difficult to conceal and a direct confrontation no longer seems out of the question.
Last week, Macron said that European countries would benefit from resuming dialogue with Russia. Meanwhile, the Suddeutsche Zeitung reported that Berlin reacted cautiously to the initiative.
The German Chancellor, it is noted, does not consider Macron's proposal to be a significant contribution to achieving peace or strengthening European unity.
At the same time, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed that any contacts between the leaders of the countries should be aimed at mutual understanding, not lecturing.
It was previously reported that dissatisfaction with Merz is growing in Germany, and Macron's rating among the French has hit a historic low.