Chancellor Friedrich Merz is taking an unusually assertive role for Germany within the European Union, positioning himself as a key defender of Ukraine and Europe amid escalating geopolitical tensions. This marks a significant departure from the cautious approaches of his predecessors, Olaf Scholz and Angela Merkel, who often avoided placing Germany in a leading international position.
Merz has stepped into a role traditionally held by France’s President, Emmanuel Macron, especially in advocating for a €210 billion EU-backed loan to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets. Earlier this month, he met with Belgium’s Prime Minister Bart De Wever and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to secure support for the plan.
“Ukraine’s fate is the fate of all of Europe,” Merz stated alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin. “It is a key task, and I have taken it upon myself to closely support Ukraine in the negotiations currently taking place here.”
Merz’s assertive stance extends beyond EU affairs, responding to U.S. wavering on military aid for Ukraine and the broader challenges to the transatlantic alliance. Berlin has become a hub for diplomacy, hosting Zelenskyy, U.S. special envoys, and European leaders to discuss a potential peace agreement.
“Berlin is now at the center of very important diplomatic talks and decisions,” Zelenskyy said. “These talks are always complex, never easy, but they were very productive.”
While European leaders have largely welcomed Germany’s new assertiveness, Merz’s approach carries considerable risk, particularly given opposition from countries like Belgium and Italy. His push to leverage Russian frozen assets for Ukraine is framed as a make-or-break moment for the EU.
“Germany is currently best suited to take this initiative,” said senior German lawmaker Norbert Röttgen, emphasizing that Germany’s fiscal strength and ongoing support for Ukraine provide a unique leadership opportunity.
Merz’s leadership signals a major shift in Germany’s foreign policy, embracing a more visible, proactive role in Europe’s security and diplomatic affairs.
