[[Merkur.de](Merkur.de) news portal reports](https://www.merkur.de/politik/ukraine-krieg-brisantes-umfrage-ergebnis-fuer-merz-zr-94166297.html#:~:text=Die%20Fronten%20scheinen,Prozent%20sind%20dagegen) that a February poll shows 58% of respondents in support of the proposition that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz should hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to seek a settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. Carried out by YouGov for DPA, the German government press agency, the poll also showed that only 26% oppose such talks. Even within Merz’s party, the Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union, support for talks is at 64%, while among Left Party voters, support is only at 47%. The poll was carried out over Feb. 6-9 and involved 2,042 respondents.