“We are not supporting Ukraine to prolong this war. But
capitulation — or even Ukraine’s unconditional capitulation — is out of the
question. After all, that would mean capitulation for all of us,” Merz said, as
quoted by Reuters.
Merz also stressed that Russian disinformation and hybrid
attacks pose the greatest threat to Germany’s security. He accused Moscow of
launching “a fundamental attack on the political order established after the
end of the Cold War.”
“My biggest concern right now is not our economy, not the
United States or China, but Russia’s influence on our society,” the chancellor
said.
Merz cited sabotage, hybrid attacks on communications
systems and attempts to destabilize Germany. He said such attacks occur daily
and that Germany continues to underestimate their significance.
On Oct. 20, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Ukraine to
seek a peace deal with Russia, warning of “very bad consequences.” He said that
without an agreement, “the situation will just keep getting worse — and it
really will get much worse.”
“Russia is a very big country, they have a lot of people…
Ukraine doesn’t have that many people. And it’s time to make a deal,” Trump
said.
Trump repeated his false story about Russian tanks
supposedly becoming stuck in mud near Kyiv because a Russian general took a
wrong turn, claiming that without the mistake, the war could have ended in four
hours.
On Oct. 19, Trump said he believed “someone else” should
negotiate with Russia on Ukraine’s behalf instead of President Volodymyr
Zelenskyy, who is unwilling to make territorial concessions.
“I think it’s time for someone else to negotiate on behalf
of Ukraine,” the U.S. president said.