Merz warns Ukraine capitulation would let Putin prepare next war
Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany (photo: Getty Images)
Germany does not want peace between Ukraine and Russia to be achieved at any cost. Ukraine's capitulation would give Moscow time to prepare for another war, said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, according to The Guardian.
At a press conference with the leaders of France, Poland, and Moldova, Merz emphasized that the war in Ukraine must end, but "not at any price."
"We do not want Ukraine to capitulate. Such a capitulation would only buy Russia time, and Putin would use this time to prepare for the next war," he added.
Merz also recalled Chisinau's achievements on the path toward the EU. He specified "that should not be taken for granted [as] things could have turned out very differently," referring to the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine.
The chancellor stressed that the doors to the European Union for Moldova are always "open." He promised to support the country on this path by all possible means, including by sending German experts to assist with reforms.
He also assured that Europe remains with Moldova in preserving "freedom and sovereignty," recalling Moldova's concern about Russia's aggressive stance and Moscow's attempts to interfere in Moldovan elections.
Russian demands
For ending the war against Ukraine, Russia demands that Ukrainian defenders completely withdraw from Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
In return, Moscow proposes to allegedly freeze the front line in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.
French President Emmanuel Macron noted that Moscow's proposals in fact amount to Ukraine's capitulation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, commenting on such demands, stated that Russia's willingness not to seize Ukraine is not a concession.
