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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMerkel on Putin: "This is typical K.G.B. talk. Never trust this guy."
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/12/01/quiet-german(very long article on Merkel's political career)
As a Russian speaker who hitchhiked through the Soviet republics in her youth, Merkel has a feel for Russias aspirations and resentments which Western politicians lack. In her office, theres a framed portrait of Catherine the Great, the Prussian-born empress who led Russia during a golden age in the eighteenth century. But, as a former East German, Merkel has few illusions about Putin. After Putins speech at the Bundestag, Merkel told a colleague, This is typical K.G.B. talk. Never trust this guy.
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In 2007, during discussions about energy supplies at the Russian Presidents residence in Sochi, Putin summoned his black Lab, Koni, into the room where he and Merkel were seated. As the dog approached and sniffed her, Merkel froze, visibly frightened. Shed been bitten once, in 1995, and her fear of dogs couldnt have escaped Putin, who sat back and enjoyed the moment, legs spread wide. Im sure it will behave itself, he said. Merkel had the presence of mind to reply, in Russian, It doesnt eat journalists, after all. The German press corps was furious on her behalfready to hit Putin, according to a reporter who was present. Later, Merkel interpreted Putins behavior. I understand why he has to do thisto prove hes a man, she told a group of reporters. Hes afraid of his own weakness. Russia has nothing, no successful politics or economy. All they have is this.
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Soon after the annexation of Crimea, Merkel reportedly told Obama that Putin was living in another world. She set about bringing him back to reality.
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A German official told me, The Chancellor thinks Putin believes that were decadent, were gay, we have women with beardsa reference to Conchita Wurst, an Austrian drag queen who won the 2014 Eurovision song contest. That its a strong Russia of real men versus the decadent West thats too pampered, too spoiled, to stand up for their beliefs if it costs them one per cent of their standard of living. Thats his wager. We have to prove its not true.
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This political isolation hurts him, her senior aide said. He doesnt like to be left out. (Russia had just been suspended from the Group of Eight.)
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As she got to know Obama better, though, she came to appreciate more the ways in which they were alikeanalytical, cautious, dry-humored, remote. Benjamin Rhodes, Obamas deputy national-security adviser, told me that the President thinks theres not another leader hes worked closer with than her. He added, Theyre so different publicly, but theyre actually quite similar. (Ulrich joked, Obama is Merkel in a better suit.)
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An aging guy addicted to machismo, attention and the past. Does that sound familiar to you?
Sanity Claws
(21,860 posts)BeyondGeography
(39,386 posts)At least to those of us in the West who hold progressive, democratic values. I'm sure her insights helped shape Obama's attitude toward Putin and strengthen his resolve. Having traded Obama for Trump, we must hope enough Germans are taking notes and Merkel muddles through in Sept.
DetlefK
(16,423 posts)The german election this year will basically be Clinton-vs-Sanders.
BeyondGeography
(39,386 posts)Hope it stays that way.
dalton99a
(81,637 posts)2naSalit
(86,843 posts)Guy Whitey Corngood
(26,505 posts)Cha
(297,805 posts)pampered trump then besides being a malleable idiot who owes him money.
I guess I answered my own question.
Merkel receives Obama's final call to a foreign leader
http://www.dw.com/en/merkel-receives-obamas-final-call-to-a-foreign-leader/a-37201219
bucolic_frolic
(43,364 posts)the world hangs in the balance on Angela Merkel's success
She is the sole source of political legitimacy in a morality play
of democracy vs. varying degrees of fascism masquerading as populism
JHan
(10,173 posts)In bold, she could well be describing Trump and his antics today :