Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has suggested that four European Union countries bear partial responsibility for the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine. Speaking to the Hungarian outlet Partizán, she argued that Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia obstructed early diplomatic efforts that might have eased mounting tensions.

Merkel recalled that in 2021, as the crisis was beginning to take shape, she proposed a new format of dialogue between the European Union and Russia aimed at preventing escalation. According to her, the four countries rejected the initiative, fearing that Europe would fail to present a united front toward Moscow. That rejection, she believes, became an indirect factor leading to the start of the military operation.

The former chancellor noted that the initiative ultimately never materialized. She left office shortly afterward — and soon the conflict erupted.

Merkel also stressed that Europe must demonstrate real strength to Russia and continue providing support to Ukraine.

Commenting on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Merkel dismissed suggestions that he acts as a «Trojan horse» for Moscow in the EU. However, she disagreed with his criticism of the European Commission and with Budapest’s decision to maintain imports of Russian energy resources.