As Germany’s Far Right Rises, Weakened Merz Looks to Project Strength Against Putin
- On Thursday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned at the Westphalian Peace Prize ceremony that weakening commitment to Ukraine could trigger consequences across Europe, stating, "The security of Europe... is at stake in Ukraine."
- Merz argued that "Russia's violent, expansionist revisionism" threatens the continent, warning that a peace "dictated" by Moscow would spark mass migration toward the West, rendering Europe insecure.
- NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte echoed this urgency, urging members to accelerate defense investment and warning that "Russia's military-industrial base would not weaken quickly," as he stated, "Ukraine's fight is our fight."
- Merz denounced "slogans of the AfD," which seeks to halt support for Ukraine and restore dialogue with Russia, emphasizing the need for domestic unity against hybrid attacks.
- Germany is applying battlefield lessons to develop new air-defense systems, with officials stressing that "increased defence production is not about warmongering" but ensuring safety for European citizens.
64 Articles
64 Articles
According to Friedrich Merz, weakening support for Ukraine would put all of Europe at risk, and Russia could later turn against NATO.
EADaily, October 2, 2026 – Three generations after 1945, the war may return to our part of Europe, as announced by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Westphal Peace Prize ceremony.
The North Atlantic Alliance received the Westphalia International Peace Prize 2026, however, not from the UN, but from the economic society of Westphalia and Lippe. The solemn ceremony took place yesterday in Münster, Germany. On October 1, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, accompanied by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and
Friedrich Merz called for unity in support of Ukraine within NATO, Europe and in Germany, where the far-right AfD, seen as pro-Russia, continues its rise. “Europe’s security is at stake in Ukraine,” the German chancellor said at the Westphalia Peace Prize ceremony, which was given to NATO. “If we fail to stop Moscow, the Russian war machine will sooner or later turn against us, against NATO itself,” he added. “Unity and strength remain necessary…
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