Angela Merkel Exasperated by Putin as Navalny Lies in a Coma
- German officials worry as list of Russia problems grows longer
- Critical piece of puzzle is pressure Putin feeling in Belarus
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With Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny lying in an induced coma just minutes from Angela Merkel’s office in Berlin, the German chancellor is at a loss over what to do about Vladimir Putin.
The German leader -- a key conduit to the West for the Russian president -- is frustrated that Putin has shown no flexibility on the case, according to two officials familiar with her thinking who asked not to be identified discussing internal deliberations.