"I have today told the National Board [of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany Party Merkel belongs to, CDU] that I am ready to present my candidature for the position of chancellor again," Merkel said on Sunday.
Kosachev told RIA Novosti that Merkel is a "German version of Hillary Clinton." He also recalled that Merkel is one of the initiators of the new EU's tough policy towards Russia.
"The second, most serious, wave of sanctions against our country was introduced on her initiative after the incident with the Malaysian Boeing and even before the investigation into the circumstances of this tragedy had been started," Kosachev stressed.
"So we shouldn't expect some dramatic improvements in our relations during her fourth chancellorship. This will be the German version of the victory of Hillary Clinton, which means that the previous foreign policy will be continued," the official stated.
"Thus, she will get a real chance to catch up with such chancellors as Konrad Adenauer (14 years in office) and Helmut Kohl (16 years in office)," Kosachev said.
According to the polls, about 55% of Germans want to see her as the future Federal Chancellor. Many believe that "after the victory of Donald Trump, Merkel is the main bastion of the western liberal values," Kosachev concluded.