German chancellor calls for Russia's "economic exhaustion" to end Ukraine war

Germany must ensure that Russia “cannot sustain its military economy” through economic exhaustion, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in an interview.

Merz stated that he has “no reason” to believe Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to stop the conflict in Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports, citing German media.

“To achieve this, we need to establish a foundation,” he said. While difficult militarily, Merz argued it is possible economically.

“In this context, I am talking about economic exhaustion, which we must help facilitate,” the German chancellor added.

The war in Ukraine, initiated by Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has led to widespread international condemnation and a series of economic sanctions imposed by Western nations, including Germany. These measures have targeted Russia’s energy exports, financial systems, and key industries to undermine its ability to fund the war. Germany, a major supporter of Ukraine, committed approximately €40 billion ($47 billion) in military aid since the conflict began.

By Khagan Isayev