Germany’s chancellor-elect Friedrich Merz, chief of the center-right Christian Democratic Union social gathering, mentioned his “absolute precedence” upon taking over the highest job might be to safe Europe in order that it may possibly “obtain independence” from Washington.
“I’d by no means have thought that I must say one thing like this in a TV present however, after Donald Trump’s remarks final week…it’s clear that this authorities doesn’t care a lot concerning the destiny of Europe,” Friedrich Merz mentioned on Sunday, in accordance with a number of stories.
“My absolute precedence might be to strengthen Europe as rapidly as doable in order that, step-by-step, we are able to actually obtain independence from the USA,” Merz added.
TRUMP CELEBRATES CONSERVATIVE PARTY WIN IN GERMANY
BERLIN, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 24: Friedrich Merz, Chairman of the CDU (Christian Democratic Union) and chancellor candidate, is pictured throughout a press convention after the federal election on February 24, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. The Christian Democratic Union of Germany wins the election with round 28,5%. (Florian Gaertner/Photothek by way of Getty Pictures)
The feedback by the incoming chancellor – who has been described as an ardent “Trans-Atlanticist” – are vital as a result of they might signify a serious shift from earlier post-World Battle II relations between the U.S. and Europe.
In talking concerning the upcoming NATO summit in June, Merz advised the NATO alliance “in its present kind” is in jeopardy and mentioned that European nations could “have to determine an independent European defense capability way more rapidly,” reported the BBC.
Mike Waltz, Trump’s nationwide safety adviser, reaffirmed the U.S.’s place on NATO final week and mentioned, “We absolutely assist our NATO allies. We absolutely assist the Article 5 dedication.”
“But it surely’s time for our European allies to step up,” he mentioned, noting the Trump administration’s repeated place in its demand that European international locations enhance their protection spending.
However concern has additionally mounted over whether or not the U.S. will pull troops stationed in Europe, significantly after Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth mentioned earlier this month that although he has no short-term plans to withdraw troops, NATO allies shouldn’t make the “assumption that America’s presence will final perpetually.”
ON THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF UKRAINE INVASION, EUROPEAN LEADERS SHOW SUPPORT, EXPRESS UNEASE
Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth holds his closing press convention on the finish of protection ministers’ conferences at NATO headquarters on Feb.13, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. Excessive on the agenda for the allies might be ascertaining how the U.S. intends to affect the trajectory of the battle in Ukraine. (Omar Havana/Getty Pictures)
European leaders over the previous couple of weeks have more and more demanded a unified reply from the Trump administration on what its strategy is when it comes to Russia.
Concern escalated after Trump and Putin spoke final week, adopted by a gathering between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Russian counterparts in Saudi Arabia, during which the administration’s push to re-establish diplomatic ties was revealed.
Trump’s unfavourable feedback in direction of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy have additionally prompted worldwide ire and Washington’s place on securing a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine is anticipated to be a serious subject of debate this week as French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer journey to Washington to fulfill with Trump.
Merz, who seems to be trying to as soon as once more make Germany a high participant on the subject of geopolitics, on Monday emphasised his assist for Ukraine.
TOPSHOT – France’s President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier than a casual summit of European leaders to debate the state of affairs in Ukraine and European safety at The Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris on February 17, 2025. European leaders have been as a result of meet in Paris on February 17, 2025 to handle Washington’s shock coverage shift on the battle in Ukraine, as Britain declared itself able to dispatch peacekeeping troops to Ukraine. (Picture by LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP by way of Getty Pictures)
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“Three years of Russian battle of aggression in opposition to [Ukraine]. Three years of battle in Europe,” he highlighted in X. “For 3 years, we have now been accompanied by the horrible photos of destruction and battle crimes. Europe stays firmly on the facet of Ukraine.
“Now greater than ever, we should put Ukraine able of power. For a simply peace, the attacked nation have to be a part of peace negotiations,” Merz mentioned.
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