Friedrich Merz

We stand firmly by Ukraine, but we also stand together as Europeans as a whole — and, whenever possible, we play in a team with the US

Russia’s aggressive revisionism means it could seek to redraw the broader map of Europe.

the security of our Baltic allies is also our security.

protecting Vilnius is protecting Berlin

the government will in the future provide all the financing the Bundeswehr needs to become the strongest conventional army in Europe

Anyone who threatens an ally must know that the entire alliance will jointly defend every inch of NATO territory.

strengthening Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the U.S.

My firm impression is that both the Europeans and the Americans are determined to work together, but now also in a goal-oriented manner, to ensure that this terrible war ends soon.

I did not interfere in the American election campaign and take sides for one or the other.

I would like to encourage and exhort the American government to leave German domestic politics to Germany and to largely stay out of these partisan considerations.

We are under such massive pressure from two sides that my absolute priority now really is to create unity in Europe.

After Donald Trump’s statements…it is clear that the Americans are largely indifferent to the fate of Europe.

Germany was counting on the US to stand by mutual alliance commitments... but we also know that the resources for our national and alliance defence must now be significantly expanded

In view of the threats to our freedom and peace on our continent, the rule for our defence now has to be 'whatever it takes'

We are counting on the United States of America to continue to stand by our mutual alliance obligations in the future. But we also know that the resources for our national and alliance defense must now be significantly expanded.

We must now show that we are in a position to act independently in Europe.

Germany must become a safe country again. We will work towards this with the utmost determination.

Europe must wean itself off dependence on America.

My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the U.S.

We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war.

We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war.

Europe has to build up its own independent defense because the United States is no longer a reliable guarantor.

My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the US.

I would do politics ‘for the majority who can think straight…and not for any green and leftwing nutcases.’

I would do politics for the majority who can think straight…and not for any green and leftwing nutcases.