German Chancellor Merz rejects lifting sanctions on Russia, says only pressure brings Moscow to the table
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has ruled out loosening sanctions on Russia, stating that Moscow, in his view, only engages in negotiations when it feels sufficient pressure. According to Merz, Berlin does not intend to weaken the economic and political measures against Russia until there is clear progress toward a just resolution of the war in Ukraine.
Germany refuses to back down from sanctions policy
Friedrich Merz said that easing sanctions prematurely could send the wrong message. In his words, Russia could interpret such a move as a sign of weakness among Western countries.
The German Chancellor stressed that sanctions should serve as a tool for political pressure and should not be lifted without concrete results in negotiations to end the war.
According to Berlin, any potential easing of sanctions must be linked to clear conditions, such as respecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity and providing long-term security guarantees.
Merz: Moscow only responds to strength
In his statement, Chancellor Merz argued that Russia, in his opinion, approaches diplomatic negotiations only when it faces sufficient pressure.
Merz thus believes it would be a mistake to weaken Europe’s position at a time when fighting continues in Ukraine. He also stated that the aim of sanctions is not to punish Russia per se, but to create the conditions necessary for a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
This policy reflects the broader stance of several European countries, who state that Moscow must first demonstrate a genuine willingness to negotiate.
Europe debates the future of relations with Russia
The issue of sanctions remains one of the most contentious topics in European politics. While some EU member states support maintaining maximum pressure on Russia, others raise concerns over the economic impact of prolonged restrictions.
European Union sanctions target various sectors—including energy, finance, technology, and trade—with the goal of limiting Russia’s ability to finance military operations.
The debate over the future direction of sanctions is closely tied to the issue of supporting Ukraine. Several European states stress that the continent’s security is linked to the outcome of the war and Europe’s ability to deter further aggression.
For more on European countries’ security policy positions, see the article “NATO unveils new strategy: The Alliance aims to stop Russian attacks at the earliest stage.”
Germany remains one of Ukraine’s main supporters
Despite domestic political debates, Germany is among the countries providing Ukraine with significant financial, humanitarian, and military assistance.
The Merz government also emphasizes the need to strengthen European defense. According to German officials, Europe must enhance its capability to respond to security threats and rely less exclusively on the United States.
This ongoing discussion also includes building a stronger European defense policy and investing in military preparedness.
The article “Ukraine receives further EU assistance for defense against Russian attacks” also covers continued support for Kyiv.
Sanctions remain the subject of political debate
The future of sanctions against Russia depends on the development of the war and the results of diplomatic negotiations. European leaders are also grappling with how to maintain unity among member states.
Merz’s position suggests Germany does not plan to change course and supports maintaining pressure on Moscow. According to the Chancellor, any concessions should only come after tangible steps from Russia.
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This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.
