Merz: Ukraine's Capitulation Would Mean Capitulation of All Allies

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Wednesday, October 21, that Ukraine's capitulation in the war with Russia is not under consideration, because it would mean the capitulation of all its allies. He spoke at an economic forum in Berlin, as quoted by DW and European Pravda.

Merz stressed that Germany and other European countries remain ready for negotiations at any moment. "We support Ukraine not to prolong this war. But capitulation, or even unconditional capitulation, of Ukraine is ruled out. Because it would mean the capitulation of all of us," he said.

Russian influence as the main concern

The chancellor also said that Russian disinformation and hybrid attacks are the greatest threat to German security. He accused Moscow of a "fundamental attack on the political order established after the end of the Cold War."

"My greatest concern at this moment is not our economy, not the US or China, but Russia's influence on our society," Merz said. He was referring to sabotage, hybrid attacks on communication systems and attempts to destabilise Germany, and noted that such attacks happen daily and that their importance is still underestimated in the country. We previously looked at how serious Russia's hybrid threat to Germany is.

Debate over pressure on Kyiv

Merz's words follow recent remarks by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who said that US negotiators have been trying to push Ukraine toward surrender on Vladimir Putin's terms, but that Ukraine did not give in thanks to European support; we covered her statement. Before that, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused the United States of trying to pressure Kyiv into capitulating to Russia.

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