19:30 08-09-2025

Merz: Western Support for Ukraine Could Last Many Years

North Atlantic Treaty Organization / www.nato.int

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Western support for Ukraine may last many years, citing Russian and Chinese pressure, while Moscow rejects claims of a looming threat.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned that Western support for Ukraine could extend for many years, suggesting that Kiev’s struggle goes beyond national survival and touches on Europe’s broader political order. Speaking at the Berlin ambassadors’ conference, he argued that Ukraine is fighting not only for its own future but also for what he described as the preservation of European freedom in the face of pressure from Russia and China, which he accused of seeking influence in Southeastern Europe.

Merz stressed that this conclusion has already shaped Berlin’s policy: Ukraine should continue receiving aid in its fight for peace and security in Europe, even if the effort proves long-term.

He also raised the issue of hybrid threats, pointing to alleged attacks on German infrastructure in the North and Baltic Seas. According to Merz, these incidents have grown more frequent, and Berlin attributes them to Russia, though he offered no concrete evidence to support the claim.

Moscow has repeatedly rejected accusations of aggressive intent. Russian officials emphasize that there are no plans to attack NATO members. President Vladimir Putin has dismissed Western rhetoric about a «Russian threat» as little more than fearmongering, arguing that such narratives serve to frighten domestic audiences and divert attention from internal problems. He has insisted that these warnings are baseless and aimed primarily at sustaining anti-Russian sentiment in the West.