Ukraine, Merz: ‘Putin is waging a hybrid war against Germany’

Frankfurt (Germany), 6 October (LaPresse) – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated that, in his opinion, Russian President Vladimir Putin is waging a “hybrid war” against Germany. During an interview with Ntv, as reported by the Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Merz said: “He is waging a disinformation war against us. He is waging a military war against Ukraine, and this war affects us all. The Kremlin leader wants to overturn the political order in Europe. That is why we support Ukraine. It is in Germany’s interest to defend the political order of open and free societies in Europe.‘ When asked whether Putin is waging war against Germany, Merz reiterated: ’He is waging a hybrid war against us.‘ Regarding the increase in drone incidents in Germany and Europe, Merz said: ’We are aware of the threat. Putin wants to intimidate and sow fear. We will not be intimidated and will defend ourselves effectively against this threat.‘ When asked about the possibility of calling Putin personally, the Chancellor explained: ’Of course I am considering it. But I see that, at the moment, any attempt at dialogue with him ends in even harsher attacks on Ukraine.” Merz also recalled an intense discussion last week in Copenhagen with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban: ‘He accused us of not wanting to negotiate. I reminded him that Orban, as President-in-Office of the EU Council last July, first visited Kiev and then Moscow. And Putin’s response was to bomb a children’s hospital in Kiev. This is not the path I want to follow.’