Trust between world leaders is rare and fragile. When it’s broken, the consequences ripple far beyond the negotiating table.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel knows this better than most. In a recent interview, she shared how Russian President Vladimir Putin’s deceit changed the way she dealt with him — and reshaped her view of his intentions.
Speaking with Christiane Amanpour on CNN, Merkel described how Putin lied to her about Russia’s actions in Crimea.
That betrayal came in 2014, when Moscow illegally annexed the Ukrainian peninsula. At the time, Putin directly admitted to Merkel that he had lied.
From that moment, she said, she approached her dealings with him with great caution.
An Intentional Intimidation Tactic
Merkel explained that Putin hadn’t always been so brazen. Early in her time as chancellor, beginning in 2005, their relationship was more measured.
“At the beginning, he didn’t tell such blatant lies,” Merkel said. But the annexation of Crimea became a turning point, both personally and politically.
The interview coincided with the release of Merkel’s memoir, Freedom: Memoirs 1954–2021, which dives into her years as Germany’s leader.
One anecdote from the book illustrates her complicated relationship with Putin.
During a 2007 meeting, he brought his Labrador into the room, knowing full well Merkel had a fear of dogs. While his spokesperson later claimed it was meant to “lighten the mood,” Merkel viewed it as an intentional intimidation tactic.
“It was a power game,” she said, recalling how uncomfortable the situation made her. Still, she maintained her composure. “I survived. The dog didn’t bite me. Let’s leave it at that,” she added with a touch of humor.
Merkel’s reflections also touch on larger geopolitical shifts, especially in Europe.
Putin’s actions in Crimea didn’t just strain personal relationships — they changed the way the West viewed Russian intentions. Merkel’s careful diplomacy during those years shaped much of NATO’s response to Moscow’s aggression.
