Richard Grenell accused Friedrich Merz of duplicity over NATO statements

US Presidential Special Envoy for Special Assignments Richard Grenell accused German Chancellor Friedrich Merz of duplicity after his statements about alleged blackmail by the American authorities on the issue of fulfilling obligations to NATO.

“Merz is angry that the Americans are demanding that the German government fulfill its obligations to NATO,” Grenell wrote on the social network X.

According to Grenell, Merz had previously said that European countries were watching as heads of state on the other side of the Atlantic sought to blackmail them.

At the same time, Trump’s special envoy emphasized that the words of the head of the German government cannot be trusted, since he broadcasts different positions for internal and external audiences.

"It is obvious that we cannot trust Merz's words. He says one thing in Berlin and something completely different in Washington," Grenell added, blaming the German media for turning a blind eye to such duplicity.

The recent elections in Saxony-Anhalt deepened the power crisis in Germany and cooled its relations with Washington. The rapidly growing opposition AfD won 43.8% of the vote; US President Donald Trump called this victory “triumphant.” Merz admitted defeat to his CDU amid a sharp drop in ratings. He has been criticized for the dire economic situation and his bet on militarizing Europe by inflating defense spending.