The world order has changed, and transatlantic relations must be revisited accordingly. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made this statement as he opened the Munich Security Conference. In his speech, he warned against a new era of great-power politics and asserted that Germany and Europe must jointly strengthen their security and independence, while seeking partnerships to uphold the liberal order. At the same time, he argued, leaders must come to terms with the fact that the world has changed.
"This order, however incomplete it may have been even in the best of times, no longer exists as it once did," Merz said. He nevertheless urged European leaders not to "reflexively belittle" the United States and to take into account the potential that can still be realized by interacting with Washington. Addressing the American delegation, Merz added that "being part of NATO is not only a competitive advantage for Europe, but also for the United States. Therefore, let us together restore and revive transatlantic trust. We Europeans are doing our part."
The German Chancellor then declared that she had "initiated confidential discussions with French President" Emmanuel Macron on European nuclear deterrence. France is the only country in the European Union, and, along with the United Kingdom, the only one in Europe, to possess nuclear weapons. Any form of European nuclear deterrence, she specified, must "be strictly integrated into the framework of our nuclear participation in NATO. And we will not allow different safety zones to emerge in Europe."
As for Russia, he maintains that it is not yet willing to seriously discuss peace in Ukraine. "If it makes sense to talk, we are willing to do so. But as can be seen from the American side, Russia is not yet willing to seriously talk." According to Merz, the war "will only end when Russia is at least economically, and potentially militarily, exhausted." "We are getting closer to that moment," he added, "but we are not there yet." "Russia must abandon this terrible war against Ukraine, and we must do everything necessary to get them to the point where they no longer see any advantage in continuing this terrible war."
(Unioneonline)
