The BRICS TimesKirill Dmitriev Russia’s Presidential Special Representative for Investment and Economic Cooperation fired a sharp warning at German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday, saying Merz could follow British Prime Minister Keir Starmer out of office if he does not shift his political course.
Starmer’s Resignation Sends Shockwaves Across Europe
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stunned the political world on Monday stepping down as leader of the Labour Party and announcing his resignation from 10 Downing Street. His departure ended a tenure marked by declining poll numbers, party rebellions, and growing public frustration. Starmer told the nation he had spoken to King Charles III before making the announcement official. He said he would stay on as caretaker prime minister until Labour chose a new leader.
The resignation capped weeks of mounting pressure within Labour ranks. Andy Burnham the former Greater Manchester mayor won a by-election last week and emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Starmer. Starmer had vowed just days earlier to fight on, but the tide inside his own party turned decisively against him.
Dmitriev’s Warning Merz Is Next
Hours after Starmer’s announcement, Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev took to social platform X with a pointed message aimed squarely at Berlin.
“[Merz] will be next, if he does not change his policy,” Dmitriev wrote on X.
Dmitriev who serves as Russia’s Special Presidential Representative for Investment and Economic Cooperation made his remarks in the wake of Starmer’s exit. He offered no further elaboration. The brief post landed like a signal flare amid an already turbulent European political landscape.
Merz Under Pressure at Home
The warning from Moscow arrives as Friedrich Merz himself faces turbulence inside Germany. His support ratings have reportedly dropped to historic lows touching just 16% in recent polling down sharply from 39% in early 2025. Internal CDU discussions about a possible leadership change have already surfaced in German media. A vote of no-confidence in the Bundestag remains on the table as a possibility.
Merz has pushed aggressive positions on defence spending, migration restrictions, and economic reform stances that have drawn both support from NATO allies and sharp criticism from domestic voters. His hawkish stance toward Russia has made him a recurring target of Moscow’s commentary.
A Pattern Moscow Finds Encouraging
Dmitriev’s post was not the first time he linked Starmer and Merz in the same breath. Earlier, he had similarly called out both leaders as pursuing policies harmful to their own people. His tone on Monday carried a note of satisfaction framing Starmer’s departure as a vindication of that earlier assessment.
The broader message from Moscow: European leaders who align tightly with hardline Western positions on Russia, Ukraine, and defence may find their political ground eroding faster than they expect.
Akshay Didwaniya
Aditya Didwaniya