Merkel: NATO must act quickly to build deterrent system against Russia

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for the rapid development of a "convincing" deterrence system against Russia within NATO. 

Speaking during the presentation of her memoirs in Berlin, Merkel emphasized the urgency of this task in light of current global security challenges, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

 “I think — and that is why I am writing [in the memoirs] — that it is now really necessary to build a convincing deterrence system very quickly,” she said, reflecting on how to safeguard Germany's security in the present environment.

Merkel acknowledged that the task of strengthening deterrence has become more complicated in recent years, particularly due to the election of US President Donald Trump, who has expressed scepticism toward Washington's alliances within NATO. “This task has not become easier than it was before, and it has not become easier with the election of Trump either, because, for the foreseeable future, such deterrence is only possible within NATO. Europe cannot do it alone,” Merkel explained.

Despite the challenges, Merkel expressed confidence that the United States should remain strongly interested in maintaining close cooperation with Europe. “From my point of view, there should also be a great interest on the part of the Americans in established cooperation with the Europeans, because it would be good for the US in the face of challenges from Russia and China to have Europe as an ally,” she added.

On the topic of the ongoing war in Ukraine, Merkel discussed the complexities of negotiating a diplomatic resolution to the crisis. “Negotiations, of course, cannot be conducted over Ukraine's head. But at the same time, I think that many countries that support Ukraine should decide together with Kyiv when a diplomatic solution [to the crisis] can be discussed with Russia. Kyiv alone cannot decide this,” Merkel said. She admitted uncertainty over when such negotiations might begin but reiterated her belief that a military solution to the conflict is impossible. “There will be no purely military solution,” she stated during an interview with The Times.

Merkel also reflected on criticism directed at her for her handling of the situation in Ukraine, particularly in relation to her refusal in 2008 to support Ukraine's NATO membership. She suggested she had become a "scapegoat" for the conflict’s escalation. "It's not just a feeling, it really is," Merkel said, responding to a question about whether she felt blamed for the current situation due to her stance at the 2008 NATO summit in Bucharest. At that summit, Merkel opposed granting Ukraine accelerated NATO membership, citing concerns over a potential reaction from Russia. She mentioned that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had urged her and former French President Nicolas Sarkozy to visit Ukraine, suggesting their opposition to NATO membership had contributed to the events in Bucha. However, Merkel made clear her disagreement with Zelenskyy on this issue. “But as far as Bucharest is concerned, I do not agree with him,” she emphasized.

Merkel, who served as Chancellor of Germany from 2005 to 2021, played a central role in mediating the Minsk negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine. Her memoir, "Freedom. Memories 1954-2021", released on November 26, reflects on her life growing up in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and her extensive political career in reunified Germany.

By Tamilla Hasanova