Chancellor Merz warns of declining aid to Ukraine

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has urgently warned against a decline in aid for Ukraine's defense against Russia. “If we falter in Germany, then Europe falters. If Europe falters, then Ukraine also falters," he warned at the awarding of the Westphalian Peace Prize to NATO in Münster.

Without German help, the war would result in a “dictated peace”. Then there was the threat of mass migration to the west and the destabilization of the Ukrainian state.

Germany is now Ukraine's most important supporter financially and militarily. But there is growing resistance to the billions in aid. The AfD is campaigning on the topic.

Merz emphasized that Germany will not allow itself to be dissuaded from helping by increasing hybrid attacks. He referred to the attempted drone attack at Leipzig Airport in the summer. This “dangerous escalation” is primarily an expression of “growing Russian helplessness” in the face of unsuccessful warfare in Ukraine. “We are preparing for further hybrid attacks, including serious ones. If they came, we would answer quickly and very clearly, like we did in Leipzig,” said Merz.