On Saturday, Friedrich Merz warned at a CSU convention in Munich that Putin would not stop, comparing the threat to the 1938 pre‑war stance.
Merz Warns at Munich CSU Convention
On Saturday, Friedrich Merz addressed a convention of the CSU party in Munich, emphasizing that “Putin will not stop” and that Ukraine’s fall would trigger further aggression. He warned that Putin aims to reshape European borders and restore the Soviet Union, posing a serious military threat to former Soviet states.
European Priority: Aid Ukraine and Strengthen Defence Unity
Merz said Europe’s priority must be supporting Ukraine, fostering European unity and building defence capabilities in cooperation with the United Kingdom. He recalled that Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were part of the USSR and are now NATO and EU members, similar to other former Eastern bloc countries.
Defending NATO Against Political Challenges
He added that maintaining NATO is crucial, even as President Donald Trump increasingly questions its purpose. Merz stressed that as long as the NATO alliance remains vital, it will be defended.
Upcoming Berlin Discussions on Ukraine
The chancellor did not comment directly on the consultations slated to begin on Sunday in Berlin, with the main part scheduled for Monday. EU and UK leaders are expected to attend, along with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, a close associate of Trump involved in Ukraine negotiations.
Criticism of Historical Comparisons and Call for New German Policy
Merz dismissed comparisons to World War I and referenced the Australian historian Christopher Clark’s book, arguing that 1938 is a more apt historical analogue. He warned that just as Hitler’s 1938 provocations led to WWII, Germany must adjust its policies amid changing U.S., Russian and Chinese dynamics. He suggested that future evaluations will judge whether Germany’s social security and contributions will reinforce freedom and peace in Europe.