For years, Germany has been the undisputed leader of the EU - the voice and muscle of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe that have looked to Berlin for patronage, guidance and, sometimes, direct instructions.. Often, when Brussels needed to twist its arms, it was Germany who persuaded Poland, Hungary or other countries, writes Politico magazine.

But Russia's war against Ukraine has undermined Berlin's authority and influence in Central and Eastern Europe and, very importantly, among the leaders at the European Council table.. This includes the resignation at the end of last year of longtime Chancellor Angela Merkel, the formation of a more complex three-party ruling coalition in Berlin, and, especially, a whole series of political mistakes and inconsistent statements related to policy towards Russia and the Russian-Ukrainian war..

The result has been a marked decline in Berlin's influence and a greater willingness on the part of other countries to go their own way and, in some cases, openly challenge the Franco-German alliance, which has long been the center of power and decision-making in the EU..

\; history has proven she is on the wrong side of history," " Baltic countries have smart leadership. Bulgaria has a new government that is more credible. Romania is stable,"

The collapse of Germany's authority was amply demonstrated this week as EU heads of state and government tried to reach an agreement on an embargo on Russian oil and overcome the stubborn resistance of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

This time, Germany was accused of trying to take advantage of a proposed exemption from the pipeline oil embargo..

But the fact that other EU members, including those from the east, have been suspicious of this underscores the shattered credibility of Berlin..

Meanwhile, a previous visit to Budapest by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a former German defense minister and Merkel apprentice, did not lead to a breakthrough in the standoff over the oil ban.. And Hungary's ongoing dispute with the Rule of Law Commission has made reaching a compromise even more difficult..

Instead, European Council President Charles Michel, the former Belgian prime minister, and France's presidency of the EU Council had to find a compromise, which Hungary eventually accepted, clearing the way for not only an oil ban, but also a broader sixth round of sanctions.. Merkel's successor, Social Democrat Olaf Scholz, did not play a key role.

Scholz is a real problem, one EU diplomat said. " No one will replace Merkel"

According to the diplomat, Scholz, at best, can be called " Scholz previously held this position.

A German official denied the claims, saying "

Scholz himself on Tuesday claimed that the two-day summit "