Merz warned of the threat of new Russian aggression against a number of European countries

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated during a press conference in Berlin that Russia is actively preparing for a large-scale expansion of its military aggression in Europe. According to him, the Kremlin’s expansion plans go far beyond a full-scale war against Ukraine, and a number of other countries are now under threat.

The German leader emphasized that Moscow is considering a much broader scope for potential future strikes. In particular, Russia’s evident preparations for further aggression already pose a direct threat to the Baltic states, Moldova, and other parts of the European continent.

Merz specifically noted that Germany, due to its strategic location in the heart of Europe, is already experiencing the effects of Russia’s hybrid warfare. Among the Kremlin’s key hostile actions on German territory, he cited large-scale sabotage, constant espionage attempts, and cyberattacks on critical information networks. The chancellor stated that the country no longer lives in a state of complete peace, which is why Germany is forced to rebuild its defense capabilities as quickly as possible. At the same time, the politician expressed confidence in NATO’s strength, noting that the Alliance maintains a sufficient level of deterrence thanks to the partners’ full agreement on the need to strengthen defense.