Merz To Not Back Down In Supporting Ukraine

(MENAFN- UkrinForm) The politician made the statement on Monday, September 14, at a press conference following the European Arctic Summit in Rovaniemi, Finland, Ukrinform reports.

The German chancellor emphasized that he did not want to leave any doubt that his government was doing everything possible to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. He added that he would do everything possible to maintain Germany's support and convince people that doing so was in their interests.

He acknowledged that there were currently debates and reservations about this support in Germany, as well as across the European Union. He said that these issues were being discussed and that, time and again, they reached the same conclusion: they had to stand firm until the terrible war was over. He warned that if Russia succeeded, it would have unpredictable and unprecedented consequences for everyone, including Germany. For this reason, he said that he was standing firmly and clearly by his position and did not intend to back down. He stressed that it was Germany's historic duty to do everything possible to help Ukraine preserve peace and freedom in Europe.

Merz added that Germany would also defend itself, its infrastructure and even its territorial integrity against Russian hybrid attacks. He explained that changes would therefore be made to laws governing the security services. He noted that this also applied to the entire territory of NATO and the European Union.

Read also: Russia seeking to intimidate Poland, weaken support for Ukraine, former Polish DM says

The chancellor reiterated that his government was doing everything possible to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. He stressed that the aggression was directed not only against Ukraine but also against all Europeans and said that Germany had decided to defend itself. He added that the most decisive moments, weeks or months were probably still ahead as Europe worked to protect the freedom and peace of the continent.

Merz also commented on the issue of a joint icebreaker fleet for the Nordic countries. He said that Europe definitely needed icebreaking capabilities and stressed that this was not only a matter for Finland, Norway and Sweden but for the entire European Union and the European continent. He explained that this was why the issue was being discussed.

Speaking on the sidelines of the summit, Merz said that in the far north of Europe, one can see how much peace in Europe is under threat. The threat is obvious. He called on everyone to take this threat seriously and to unite in Europe and in the European part of NATO.

As reported, Germany is currently the largest donor of aid to Ukraine.

As Ukrinform reported, Germany should do everything possible to support Ukraine, including increasing the production of necessary military equipment, as Russia continues to escalate the conflict and intensify its terror.

Germany is allocating an additional EUR 60 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

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