Russian envoy links Merz’s online G7 attendance from an attic to falling ratings
In short
A Russian presidential special representative, Dmitriev, commented on German Chancellor Merz taking part in an online G7 meeting from an attic. According to TASS, Dmitriev linked the appearance to a fall in the German chancellor’s approval ratings. The documents give no further detail of his remarks, and there was no immediate reaction reported from Merz or the German government.
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A Russian presidential special representative, Dmitriev, commented on German Chancellor Merz taking part in an online G7 meeting from an attic, according to RIA Novosti and TASS, both state outlets. TASS identified Dmitriev as the Russian president’s special representative for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries. [ 1 , 2 ]
TASS reported that Dmitriev tied the appearance to a fall in the German chancellor’s approval ratings. Neither outlet reproduced his full remarks, and no response from Merz, the German government or other participants was reported. The documents also do not state when the online meeting was held or why Merz joined from an attic. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
The remarks are a Russian official’s public commentary on the German chancellor in the context of a G7 meeting, a setting where Moscow and G7 governments are at odds. The documents do not state what prompted the comment beyond the ratings claim, so its practical consequences are not yet clear.
Key facts
- Dmitriev, the Russian president’s special representative for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries, commented on Merz’s participation in an online G7 meeting held from an attic [ 1 , 2 ]
- According to TASS, Dmitriev linked the attic appearance to a fall in the German chancellor’s approval ratings [ 2 ]
- The documents do not reproduce Dmitriev’s full remarks or any response from Merz or the German government [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Dmitriev, the Russian president’s special representative for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries, commented on German Chancellor Merz taking part in an online G7 meeting from an attic [ 1 , 2 ]
- Dmitriev linked the appearance to a fall in the German chancellor’s approval ratings [ 2 ]
Still unclear
- What Dmitriev said in full about Merz’s appearance at the online G7 meeting Both documents carry only a headline or a one-line summary; no article text or quotations are available
- When and where the online G7 meeting took place, and why Merz joined from an attic Neither document states the date, venue or the reason for the location
- Whether Merz, the German government or other G7 participants responded to Dmitriev’s comment No reaction is reported in either document