Merz reveals Putin’s plans for Ukraine and Europe
Photo: Friedrich Merz (Getty Images)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned Europeans against complacency, saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks not only Ukraine’s defeat but also to undermine democracy in Europe, according to his interview with Bloomberg.
"My biggest concern is the underestimated Russian impact on our societies. Russia is on the way to destabilize the entire political order of our European continent," Merz said.
He added that many people, including in Germany, do not take the threats seriously enough.
"They don’t see what the goal of Russia really is. This is not only territorial gain in Ukraine. They fear democracy. They fear open societies. They fear the success of European integration," the chancellor explained.
Merz also said that Germany, together with other European and non-American allies, had been financing Ukraine without receiving assistance from the US in paying for defense and deploying equipment.
"It’s really a big effort for our budgets, it’s really a big thing for the European Union. But we are doing that and we are trying to keep on doing that until this terrible war ends," the official stressed.
According to Merz, every time he meets with US President Donald Trump, he tries to convince him that a stable Europe, the European continent, and the European Union as a global partner should all be in Trump’s own interests.
In conclusion, he added that European governments had realized the seriousness of the situation amid tensions between the US and Ukraine, as well as Washington’s deal with Moscow on diesel fuel. As a result, countries are in the process of reforming their defense systems to become more independent.
"We are hearing the wake-up call. And we are trying to bring ourselves into a position which makes us strong enough to compete, to defend ourselves independently within NATO," the German chancellor concluded.
Europe’s and Ukraine’s defense
Media outlets recently reported that NATO had developed a Theory of Victory in the event of a Russian attack. The new concept envisages a rapid response and extensive use of drones.
We also reported that at least 1,500 troops from Britain, France, Germany, and Poland would arrive in Poland in November. They are expected to rehearse the deployment of European forces in Ukraine following a possible ceasefire.
