German chancellor slams Russia’s war crimes, calls for increased pressure

On the eve of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged stronger international pressure on Moscow, warning that the conflict will only end when Russia can no longer benefit from its aggression.

“This war will only end when Russia no longer sees any point in continuing it. When Russia can no longer expect to gain any territory, when Russia's cost for this madness has simply become too high,” Merz said at an event in Berlin, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

“That is why we must maintain pressure on Russia. We must even increase it,” he added, speaking at a Ukraine forum organized by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, affiliated with his Christian Democratic Union party.

Merz sharply condemned Russia’s conduct in Ukraine, accusing Moscow of daily war crimes and indifference to human rights and human life.

“Under its current leadership, this country is at the lowest point of the lowest barbarism. And no one should be in any doubt about the regime and the barbarism we are dealing with from Russia,” he said.

The Chancellor warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not halt his campaign even if Ukraine surrenders, citing ongoing threats and provocations in the Baltic states, hybrid attacks across Europe, and security risks for Germany itself.

“Because we hear the threats. We see the provocations in the Baltic States, in the Baltic Sea, the hybrid attacks everywhere in Europe, especially here in Germany,” Merz said.

He stressed the importance of acting decisively, recalling Europe’s failure to adequately confront Putin before the 2022 invasion. “We must not make the mistake of recognizing things but not acting on them again,” he said.

Merz also reaffirmed Germany’s continued support for Ukraine, noting that Berlin has provided almost €40 billion ($47 billion) in civilian aid and over €50 billion in military assistance since the war began.

By Vafa Guliyeva