Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticized the European Union on Monday, May 18, for not doing enough diplomatically to engage Russia over the war in Ukraine, while simultaneously rejecting the idea that she could personally serve as a mediator. “I regret that, in my view, Europe is not making sufficient use of its diplomatic potential,” Merkel said in an interview with German broadcaster WDR, according to Politico.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “It’s not enough for [US President Donald] Trump to maintain contact with Russia,” she added. Merkel said military support for Ukraine remains necessary and backed efforts to strengthen Europe’s deterrence capabilities against Russia. Merkel rejects idea of becoming mediator Despite calls in Europe for the appointment of a special envoy to help mediate between Kyiv and Moscow, Merkel said she would not be the right person for such a role. The former German leader argued that only politicians currently in power can credibly negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “We were only able to hold those negotiations with President Putin because we had political power, because we were heads of government,” Merkel said. “You need that power,” she added. “You have to take that into your own hands.” Merkel’s name has been floated in recent months as a possible European peace envoy because of her previous negotiations with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.