Merz: World has entered phase of open great-power conflicts

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned on February 13 that the global order has shifted, declaring that the world has entered a phase of “open great-power conflicts” following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Speaking at the opening of the Munich Security Conference, Merz stressed the urgent need to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank, Caliber.Az reports via German media.

“We are reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank, as demonstrated by our brigade in Lithuania. We will do more to protect the High North. The first German Eurofighters are already deployed, and others will follow,” he said.

The Chancellor emphasised that Germany does not seek dominance in Europe. Instead, he advocated for “partnered leadership” and the development of European sovereignty in military, economic, and technological spheres. He noted that “Russia’s gross domestic product is around two trillion euros. The European Union’s GDP is almost ten times higher, yet today Europe is not ten times stronger than Russia.”

By Vugar Khalilov