German Chancellor Friedrich Merz sought to reassure European and Ukrainian allies of continued support for Ukraine, while also warning Germans of the escalating threat posed by Russia. Speaking amid rising popularity for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and internal party pressure, Merz emphasized the direct interest Germany has in averting further conflict.
Chancellor Merz's strong stance on supporting Ukraine and warning against Russian aggression aims to counter domestic political headwinds from the rising far-right AfD and reassure international partners. The outcome of this balancing act will influence Germany's role in European security and its continued military aid to Ukraine.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz sought to project strength and resolve against Russia, reassuring allies in Europe and Ukraine of continued support for Kyiv amid the ongoing war. Speaking at a ceremony in Münster where the alliance received the Westphalian Peace Prize, Merz warned that failing to counter Moscow could eventually lead to Russia's war machine turning against Germany and NATO.
Merz employed some of his most dramatic language to date, cautioning Germans against ignoring the danger of conflict returning to Europe, three generations after World War II. He raised the specter of the Baltic states becoming a battlefield and European cities being targeted by Russian ballistic missiles, questioning whether Germany itself could face similar horrors.
These remarks come at a time of domestic political weakness for Merz, with his conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) suffering historic defeats in recent regional elections in eastern Germany. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which favors ending military support for Ukraine and restoring ties with Moscow, has seen its popularity surge and is now the country's leading party in polls. This rise has fueled concerns in Kyiv and across Europe about Germany's commitment to Ukraine.
Merz directly addressed the AfD, characterizing the party as a tool for Russian influence and vowing that his government would continue to support Ukraine despite hybrid attacks and disinformation campaigns. At the event, Hendrik Wüst, the premier of North Rhine-Westphalia and a potential successor to Merz, publicly supported the chancellor, commending his commitment to NATO's defense spending goals and his role in maintaining alliance stability.
Despite the efforts to project unity, Merz's speech also aimed to persuade a wavering German electorate to maintain support for Ukraine. A recent survey indicated that 42% of Germans believe military aid to Ukraine has gone too far, with opposition particularly strong in eastern Germany where the AfD is most popular. Merz reiterated his conviction that Ukraine would get through the winter with Germany's help, stating that if Germany falters, Europe will falter.
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