BERLIN, December 23. /TASS/. The notion of delivering a "strategic defeat" to Russia is rapidly losing traction in Germany, while the idea of reopening dialogue with Moscow is gaining momentum in the media, Russian Ambassador to Berlin Sergey Nechayev told TASS.

When asked why German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was the first among Western leaders to call Russian President Vladimir Putin, the diplomat explained that "the Ukrainian crisis is a central issue for German voters," as their stance on this subject could significantly impact support in the upcoming early parliamentary elections scheduled for February 2025. "Polling indicates that most Germans oppose escalating the conflict or Germany’s direct involvement," Nechayev observed.

"The ambition to impose a ‘strategic defeat’ on Russia has fallen out of favor, even among hardline political figures, given the unfeasibility of such an outcome. This is widely acknowledged," the ambassador explained. Meanwhile, calls for reestablishing dialogue with Russia and pursuing a peace agreement are becoming more prevalent in public discourse. "Diplomatic engagement is the cornerstone of politics," he emphasized. "We have consistently conveyed our readiness to engage in dialogue, including with Berlin, but it must respect our legitimate interests and reflect the realities on the ground." According to Nechayev, this includes the full realization of the objectives outlined for the special military operation by the Russian president.

"Imposing ultimatums or attempting to deceive us is counterproductive," he added. "The policy of supporting Kiev ‘at any cost’ has hit a wall, yet Berlin hesitates to acknowledge this." He further stated, "Arming Ukraine’s military with weapons, including lethal ones, prolongs the conflict, increases casualties and destruction, and worsens relations between Russia and supplier nations."

Stagnation in Berlin's approach

Nechayev noted that "Berlin’s foreign policy toward Russia shows no substantial shifts." "Political parties likely to form the next governing coalition continue to uphold the so-called ‘anti-Russian consensus.’ Any effort to challenge it faces strict opposition," he stated. However, he also noted that "public pressure for the normalization of Russian-German relations is steadily rising."

"This reality is becoming increasingly difficult to overlook, as demonstrated by the results of the September elections in three East German states," the ambassador argued. "We expect pragmatism to eventually prevail. Moreover, the adverse effects of anti-Russian policies are acutely felt within Germany itself," he concluded.

On November 15, Scholz placed a call to Putin. The two leaders had previously spoken on December 2, 2022. According to the Kremlin, the conversation covered Ukraine, developments in the Middle East, and bilateral ties. Both leaders agreed to maintain communication through their aides.