Yesterday at 20:05
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told the Bundestag that surrendering to Russian President Vladimir Putin is unacceptable, as it would neither bring peace to Ukraine or Europe and would only encourage further aggression, Ukrinform reports.
“Peace imposed under dictatorship — peace without freedom — is capitulation and nothing else. And it would only encourage Putin to look for a new target,” Merz stressed.
He noted that Russia’s war on Ukraine already affects EU and NATO countries, directly impacting Germans’ lives. Recent violations of Polish and Romanian airspace are part of a pattern:
“Putin has long been testing the limits — he sabotages, spies, kills, and seeks to sow fear and uncertainty,” Merz warned.
The chancellor pledged that Germany will not allow Russia to destabilize Europe and underscored the need to strengthen resilience and defense to deter new aggression and unite allies more closely.
Merz highlighted that Germany’s decision to boost defense spending helped prevent a NATO split at the Hague summit, declaring that the Alliance is now “stronger than ever” and that “Germany again assumes responsibility in Europe — and no longer hesitates.”
Earlier this year, the Bundestag amended the constitution to allow significantly higher defense expenditures, including military aid for Ukraine.
