It’s tough to identify a European politician more intelligent, fair, and sensible about working with Moscow than Angela Merkel, and let’s hope she can keep the SPD at bay… From the Wall Street Journal:

Merkel Taking Lead Role In Shaping Europe’s Line By MARCUS WALKER BERLIN — German Chancellor Angela Merkel is emerging as a pivotal player in reshaping the West’s relations with Moscow. In the wake of Russia’s military intervention in Georgia, Ms. Merkel’s skeptical view of Russian foreign policy is gaining ascendancy over other German policy makers’ longstanding hopes for a special relationship with Moscow. That is creating in European capitals a new critical mass that views Russia as a problem rather than a partner. For years, the EU has been split among founding members such as Germany, France and Italy, which were reluctant to offend Russia, and new entrants from Central and Eastern Europe, which saw Russia as a threat.