German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is visiting Brussels for the first time since taking office, where he held meetings with EU leaders. During his first meeting with European Council President Antonio Costa, Merz expressed his desire for everyone “to be able to trust Germany and know they can rely on it,” reports Rks News.
Regarding the situation in Ukraine, Merz reaffirmed strong support for the country, stating that Germany will do everything it can to help bring the war to an end as soon as possible. He emphasized that “Ukrainians must be included” in every discussion and assured that the European Union will continue to support Ukraine in its defense capabilities.
Merz also issued a clear warning to Russia, stating that if the country does not commit to peace, it will face further sanctions. “We call on Russia to now engage in a path toward sustainable peace, and if this does not happen, we will not hesitate to increase sanctions pressure with our European partners and the United States,” he declared.
In efforts to advance EU policies, Merz stressed that member states must prioritize the deepening of the single market and the simplification of regulations. He also defended plans for tightening border control, clarifying that, despite media speculation in Germany, no state of emergency has been declared for migration, and all controls will comply with EU law.
