Key facts
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Europe's security is entering a decisive phase.
- Merz criticized parts of the new US National Security Strategy as unacceptable from a European perspective.
- Merz called for Europe to become more independent of the United States in security policy.
- Merz argued that the US strategy underestimates Europe's ability to handle its own security.
- The US strategy warned of 'civilizational erasure' in Europe and called for restoring 'Western identity'.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized that Europe's security should be the priority over political debates about his own future, stating that the continent's protection is entering a critical stage. Despite recent electoral setbacks for his conservative party, Merz affirmed Germany's continued support for Ukraine and its policy towards Russia.
Merz criticized the new US National Security Strategy, unveiled last week, calling certain components "unacceptable to us from a European perspective." He noted that while unsurprising in substance, the strategy's assessment of Europe was flawed. Merz specifically pushed back against the idea that the US needs to "save democracy in Europe," asserting that Europe could manage its own affairs.