The key facts

  • Dolgov: a meeting is possible if Putin himself considers it necessary; 'it is not for Merz to decide' the president's contacts
  • The ambassador sees no changes in Berlin's anti-Russian policy
  • Merz previously said he would not shy away from a meeting with Putin

Conditions for a possible meeting

A meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the sidelines of the December G20 summit in Miami is possible, but only if the Russian leader himself considers it necessary. This was stated by Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Russia Konstantin Dolgov to Gazeta.Ru. According to him, he has not seen any official confirmation of Putin's participation in the summit: 'If he goes, if he takes part, if he considers it necessary to meet [with Merz], then such a meeting may take place. It is certainly not for Merz to decide what contacts our president will have.'

State of bilateral relations

Dolgov added that at the moment he sees no changes in Berlin's anti-Russian policy, which, in his assessment, does not yet contribute to the restoration of bilateral relations. 'If they have a desire to change something for the better, that desire should presumably manifest itself sooner or later, but so far we have not seen it,' the diplomat concluded.

Merz's position

For his part, the German Chancellor has said that he will not shy away from the opportunity to meet Putin on the sidelines of the December G20 summit in Miami if the Russian leader attends. Thus, both sides formally do not rule out contact, but judging by Dolgov's words, Moscow ties its occurrence to the president's own decision rather than to an initiative from the German side. Earlier, in December 2025, Merz accused Putin of intending to restore the USSR — a context that illustrates how tense the backdrop remains for any possible dialogue.