German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in an interview with Bloomberg, warned European capitals against complacency and stated that Vladimir Putin's course is aimed not only at defeating Ukraine, but also at undermining the democratic order in Europe. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to the publication by the American outlet.
“Russia on the path to destabilizing the political order”
“What worries me most is Russia's underestimated impact on our societies. Russia is on the path to destabilizing the entire political order on our European continent,” Merz emphasized. According to him, many citizens, including in Germany itself, do not take the threat seriously enough and “do not understand what Russia's true goal is.”
Moscow's goal is not just territory
The chancellor explained that this is not only about territorial gains in Ukraine. “They are afraid of democracy. They are afraid of open societies. They are afraid of the success of European integration,” he stated, pointing out that, in his assessment, the very openness of European societies is perceived in Moscow as a threat.
Financial burden on European budgets
Merz also noted that Germany, together with other European and non-American allies, is financing support for Ukraine without receiving help from the US in paying for defense and supplying equipment. “This is truly a huge burden on our budgets, this is truly an important cause for the European Union. But we are doing this and trying to continue... until this terrible war ends,” the official emphasized.
Dialogue with Washington and the course toward independence
According to Merz, during every meeting with Donald Trump, he tries to convince the American president that a stable Europe and the European Union as a global partner serve the US's own interests. Summarizing, the chancellor stated that European governments have realized the seriousness of the situation against the background of tension between the US and Ukraine, as well as Washington's diesel deal with Moscow, and are now reforming the defense system for greater independence. “We hear the wake-up call. And we are trying to put ourselves in a position that will allow us to be strong enough to compete and independently defend ourselves within NATO,” he concluded.
Context: NATO defense initiatives
Merz's remarks came against the backdrop of a series of alliance defense initiatives. Recently, information appeared in the media that NATO has developed a “Victory Theory” in the event of a Russian attack—a concept involving a rapid response and the widespread use of drones. In addition, it was reported that at least 1,500 troops from Great Britain, France, Germany, and Poland will arrive in Poland in November to practice the scenario of deploying European forces in Ukraine after a possible ceasefire.
