Merz warns against reducing Ukraine aid as NATO receives peace prize

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned against reducing aid to Ukraine, saying that a failure to stop Moscow could eventually expose Germany and NATO to attack. Merz made the remarks in a foreign-policy speech in Münster, where NATO received the Westphalian Peace Prize. “If we waver in Germany, then Europe wavers.

If Europe wavers, then Ukraine wavers as well,” he said, according to DW. The Chancellor argued that without German support, the war could end in an “imposed peace”. He said such an outcome would bring mass migration towards the West and destabilise the Ukrainian state.

Merz said diplomatic efforts had so far not changed Russia’s position, referring briefly to a recent meeting between German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in New York. He said Russia understood only the “language of strength” and that unity and strength were necessary to bring Moscow to negotiations. He also called for the United States to remain aligned with Europe on Ukraine.

In Germany, Merz said, a united front was needed against what he described as hybrid attacks, Moscow-controlled social-media bots and the slogans of the far-right Alternative for Germany party. The AfD supports ending military and financial assistance to Ukraine, lifting sanctions against Russia and restoring dialogue, DW reported. The party has also made gains in recent state elections and leads in nationwide polls, according to the supplied material.

The Westphalian Peace Prize is awarded every two years by the Economic Society for Westphalia and Lippe. The award commemorates the 1648 Peace of Westphalia, and NATO was honoured this year for its contribution to the European peace order.