While German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (Christian Democrat) in talks with journalists on Jan 28 again categorically ruled out direct German or European talks with Russia, senior politicians of his Social Democrat coalition partner have urged such talks. Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil had similar remarks, and SPD foreign policy spokesman, Bundestag member Adis Ahmetovic, says that talks to end the war have so far “made little progress,” because no effort has been made to reopen direct contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Former parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich says that there is reason to “doubt” that U.S. negotiators are taking European interests into account, that Europe had to raise its voice in direct contact with Russia.