--- title: "Merz: Putin Wants to Blow Up Democracy in Europe — Germany Takes Over Ukraine's Defense Financing" description: "German Chancellor Merz stated that Putin aims to destroy democracy in Europe and confirmed that Europe is financing Ukraine's defense without Washington. Amid the conflict with the US over refinery strikes, Berlin seeks de-escalation." date: 2026-10-20T02:01:24.470Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/merz-europe-ukraine-defense-without-us tags: [germany, russia, ukraine, europe, merz, trump, defense, purl] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Merz: Putin Wants to Blow Up Democracy in Europe — Germany Takes Over Ukraine's Defense Financing ![Friedrich Merz speaking at a conference, gesturing with his hands against a blue background](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/20/merz-europe-ukraine-defense-without-us/merz-europe-ukraine-defense-without-us-1.webp) ## Key Points - Merz stated that Putin aims not only to defeat Ukraine but also to destroy democracy in Europe - Germany and European allies are financing Ukraine's defense without Washington's help - The US demands Ukraine stop strikes on Russian refineries; Zelenskyy accuses Trump of pressuring Kyiv to surrender - Europe cannot replace American air defense and intelligence in the short term - Several European capitals are about to enter an election season, limiting leaders' maneuverability German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has issued a sharp warning against complacency regarding the threats emanating from Russia. According to him, dictator Vladimir Putin is striving not only to defeat Ukraine but also to «blow up democracy in Europe». The statement came against the backdrop of a week-long conflict between Washington and Kyiv, in which, according to European observers, US President Donald Trump has effectively taken Moscow's side. ### Europe Takes Over Ukraine's Defense Financing Merz stressed that Germany, together with other European and non-American allies, continues to finance Ukraine's defense and weaponry without Washington's help. «This is indeed a heavy burden on our budgets, this is indeed an important matter for the European Union,» the Chancellor stated. At the same time, he emphasized his resolve: «But we are doing this and trying to continue doing this until this terrible war ends.» Thus, Berlin is publicly fixing its transition to a model of independent European financing for Kyiv. ### The Week-Long Conflict and Trump's Position According to the publication, European leaders are actively seeking ways to de-escalate the week-long conflict, which centers on Washington's demands to halt Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in turn, accused Trump of attempting to pressure Kyiv into «surrendering to the Kremlin». The parties thus hold mutually exclusive positions: for the US, strikes on refineries are an unacceptable escalation factor; for Kyiv, they are a legitimate instrument of war, and abandoning them under Washington's pressure means capitulation. ### Merz Tries to Persuade Trump «I try to persuade Donald Trump every time I meet with him that this must be in his own interest,» Merz said. The Chancellor argues that a stable Europe as a global partner is also valuable to Americans. This statement highlights that European diplomacy is trying to find common ground with Washington without abandoning its support for Kyiv. ### What Awaits Europe: Elections, Air Defense, and Intelligence Bloomberg recalls that European leaders face the prospect of continuing support for Ukraine independently, without US assistance. They continue to support sanctions against Moscow and insist that Kyiv should not cede territory as part of a peace settlement. However, according to the publication, Europe will not be able to replace American air defense and intelligence sharing anytime soon. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that a tense election season is about to begin in several European capitals, limiting leaders' political maneuverability. ### Threats Regarding PURL and Intelligence As is known, the United States recently warned Ukraine about a possible halt to intelligence sharing due to strikes on Russian refineries. In addition, according to media reports, Trump allegedly threatened to stop arms supplies to the Armed Forces of Ukraine under the PURL program because of the same strikes on Russian oil refineries. These steps, if implemented, will significantly weaken Ukraine's defense potential and increase Kyiv's dependence on European support, which, as Merz stated, Berlin is ready to bear «until this terrible war ends». ## Accounts differ ### US and Ukrainian Positions on Strikes Against Russian Refineries - **USA / Washington:** Demands that Ukraine stop strikes on Russian oil refineries; warns of a potential halt to intelligence sharing ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ssha-bilshe-berut-uchasti-oboroni-ukrayini-1792458861.html)) - **Ukraine / Zelenskyy:** Accuses Trump of attempting to pressure Kyiv into surrendering to the Kremlin ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ssha-bilshe-berut-uchasti-oboroni-ukrayini-1792458861.html)) *Where they agree:* Strikes on Russian oil refineries took place and prompted Washington's demands to stop them ## Fact-Check & Sources - [США больше не участвуют в обороне Украины, - Мерц](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ssha-bilshe-berut-uchasti-oboroni-ukrayini-1792458861.html) - Public statements by Chancellor Merz, reported via rbc.ua citing Bloomberg. Mention of threats regarding PURL and intelligence are reported as media stories without official confirmation. ## FAQ ### What exactly did Merz say about Putin's goals? Merz stated that Vladimir Putin is striving not only to defeat Ukraine but also to «blow up democracy in Europe». ### Is Europe financing Ukraine's defense without the US? Yes. Merz confirmed that Germany, along with other European and non-American allies, is financing Ukraine's defense and weaponry without Washington's help, calling it a «heavy burden on budgets». ### What is the week-long conflict between the US and Ukraine about? Washington is demanding that Ukraine stop strikes on Russian oil refineries. Zelenskyy accuses Trump of trying to pressure Kyiv into surrendering to the Kremlin. ### Will Europe be able to replace American air defense and intelligence? According to Bloomberg, in the short term — no. European leaders know they cannot replace American air defense and intelligence sharing. ### What is the PURL program and how does it relate to the article? PURL is a program for supplying weapons to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. According to media reports, Trump allegedly threatened to halt these supplies due to Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries.