We stand with Ukraine and the Baltics – Merz promises united defense
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (Getty Images)
Germany and its NATO partners are determined to defend every inch of the Alliance's territory against any aggression, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said, according to Reuters.
"The security of our Baltic allies is also our security," Merz said during a visit to Vilnius, marking the deployment of a German brigade in Lithuania to strengthen NATO's eastern flank.
In his speech, Merz praised the governments of the Baltic states for recognizing the Russian threat — at a time when Germany, he noted, still held "illusions about Putin's regime."
"I assure you, that time is over," Merz said. "We are aware of the seriousness of the situation. And we are aware of our responsibility."
Increased defense spending
The visit comes as NATO leaders prepare to meet next month at a summit to set new goals and reassess how much member states should spend on defense following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking about the goals of the upcoming summit, Merz emphasized that Europe's defense capacity needs to be strengthened over the long term, and that the continent's defense industry must expand its capabilities.
Efforts to deepen NATO commitments are facing pressure from President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly complained that the United States shoulders too much of the burden for European security.
Merz stated that Germany is investing heavily in its forces at home and is also deploying hundreds of Bundeswehr troops to Lithuania.
He also emphasized the importance of NATO unity in the face of Russian aggression.
"We stand firmly by Ukraine, but we also stand together as Europeans as a whole — and, whenever possible, we play in a team with the US," Merz said.
Brigade in Lithuania
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius took part today in the first formal assembly of the 45th Tank Brigade in the center of Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital.
Germany plans to complete the formation of the brigade by the end of 2027, with a personnel strength of up to 5,000 troops. It will be the country's first permanently deployed tank brigade abroad since World War II.
Earlier, Chancellor Merz publicly voiced his support — for the first time — for increasing Germany's defense spending to 5% of GDP.
Sources: Reuters, The Washington Post, Bloomberg
