German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Wednesday that Russia is waging not only an aggressive war against Ukraine but also against Europe, stressing that the outcome of this conflict will determine the future of peace on the continent.
Merz added that Moscow carries out daily attacks involving espionage and sabotage, urging the European Union to use frozen Russian assets to increase pressure on President Vladimir Putin.
In response, Putin declared in a speech that Russia would be forced to liberate its “historic lands” militarily if diplomacy fails. He noted that Russia has made progress on all fronts in Ukraine in recent months and dismissed Western calls to prepare for a major war with Russia as “hysteria.”
Putin criticized NATO’s support for Ukraine, saying powerful member states are supplying Kyiv with weapons and military equipment. He also announced that Russia is enhancing its military capabilities, with new missiles and submarines to be added to its arsenal.
Sources - Agencies
