In a key foreign policy speech, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz urgently warned against decreasing 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.
He specifically warned of a Russian attack on Germany and NATO if Ukraine falls: “If we do not succeed in stopping Moscow, then sooner or later the Russian war machine will turn against us, against NATO itself. We must not close our eyes to this danger.”
Without German help, the war against Ukraine would result in a “dictated peace,” emphasized Merz. Then there was the threat of mass migration to the west and the destabilization of the Ukrainian state.
“Slogans of the AfD and its Russian backers”
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 addressed this directly in his speech and spoke of “slogans from the AfD and its Russian backers.” He was reacting to the fact that in Ukraine the AfD's electoral successes in the state elections in September are being followed with concern.
Merz promised the Ukrainians that Germany would not allow itself to be divided. But he admitted that this is becoming increasingly difficult in a public that is increasingly characterized by polarization, arguments and anger. Merz told critics of Ukraine aid that the support was not an end in itself. “We do it above all else to protect the freedom and security of the people in our country.”
Wadephul's meeting with Lavrov was only briefly touched upon
Merz emphasized that Germany will not allow itself to be dissuaded from helping by increasing hybrid attacks. He referred to the 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.
The Chancellor only briefly addressed the conversation between Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in New York last weekend. It is another example of diplomatic efforts in Moscow falling on deaf ears. Russia only understands the “language of strength” and must be brought to the negotiating table in this way. “Unity and strength are still conditions for success in negotiations with Moscow today.”
NATO is honored for peacekeeping
The Peace Prize is awarded every two years by the Economic Society for Westphalia and Lippe (WWL). It commemorates the Peace of Westphalia of 1648, which was concluded in the town halls of Münster and Osnabrück. It ended the Thirty Years' War and is seen as a contribution to the European peace order among equal states.
This year, NATO was honored for its contribution to the European peace order in the presence of Secretary General Mark Rutte. Rutte and Merz previously visited the German-Dutch Corps in Münster.
Wüst appreciates Merz's role in NATO
North Rhine-Westphalia Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst, who is considered a possible successor to Merz, also spoke at the award ceremony. He praised the Chancellor for his role in NATO. “Where others hesitated, the German Chancellor stayed the course and thereby gave the alliance stability. Cohesion does not come from Sunday speeches, but through actions,” said Wüst. "With his clear commitment to the five percent target, the Chancellor has shown that Germany is a reliable partner and that reliability remains the strongest pillar of this defense alliance."
At their summit in The Hague in June 2025, the Allies set a new goal of investing five percent of gross domestic product in defense and security every year from 2035 at the latest - more than ever since the Cold War. Of this, 3.5 percent should be classic defense spending, and another 1.5 percent could flow into infrastructure. Previously, the NATO target was two percent.
The Chancellor's eulogy for NATO was his second key foreign policy speech this year. In February, he dedicated his speech at the Munich Security Conference primarily to the transatlantic partnership between Europe and the USA. His current speech was almost exclusively about policy towards Ukraine and Russia.
