Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has placed indirect responsibility for the launch of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine on Poland and the Baltic states—Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. According to her, in 2021, these states obstructed attempts to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine and establish constructive dialogue with Russia, which, according to Merkel, was one of the factors that provoked the escalation.

In an interview with German media, Merkel clarified that four years ago she proposed a new format for negotiations between the European Union and Russian President Vladimir Putin, aimed at reducing tensions and finding a diplomatic solution. However, the initiative met with resistance from a number of countries.

"This attempt at a settlement was not supported by some countries. These were primarily the Baltic states, which opposed my initiative." "The former chancellor said, adding that Poland and the Baltic states feared the lack of a unified EU position on Moscow, which could weaken their own interests.

Merkel emphasized that her proposal called for expanded dialogue to prevent further escalation, but the opposition of Warsaw, Riga, Vilnius, and Tallinn thwarted these efforts. In her view, this was a missed opportunity to avoid conflict.