Putin’s imperial plans to extend beyond Ukraine, warns German chancellor

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said everything indicates Russian President Vladimir Putin's imperialist plans will not end with Ukraine, but will instead begin there.

Merz called on European allies to reassess interests and aggressively pursue new partnerships around the world as its relationship with the US changes, Sky News reports.

"We in Europe must adjust our interests - without false nostalgia," he said at the foreign ministry in Berlin.

He added that, while the US remains an important partner, the relationship has become less self-evident as Washington makes its ties conditional on certain interests and topics.

By Khagan Isayev