Peace cannot be attained at the cost of Ukraine, according to the German leader

In an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF on Sunday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed Germany's commitment to supporting Ukraine in its defence against Russia.

Merz emphasised that ending the war in Ukraine quickly, at Ukraine's expense, is not an option. He stated unequivocally that supporting Ukraine to defend itself is an "absolute priority" for Germany. The support from Germany to Ukraine is considered a key backing in the face of Russia's invasion.

The military support from Germany to Ukraine, which has been in place since February 2022, is significant in terms of its monetary value. Merz revealed that Germany has delivered or pledged military support worth approximately 40 billion euros ($47 billion) to Ukraine since the start of the conflict.

The military support from Germany includes a wide range of equipment, from anti-tank weapons to artillery systems. Merz made it clear that the support is intended to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia.

Merz acknowledged that a ceasefire this year is possible, but he has no illusions about it. He warned that the war might last for a long time, and that the day after Ukraine's capitulation, Germany could be at risk.

The Chancellor's remarks come as the United States has contributed the largest military support to Ukraine, with around 115 billion euros pledged by mid-2025. Germany, as the second largest contributor, has pledged about 16.5 billion euros in weapons and military aid. The support from multiple Western governments, including the US, EU, Germany, and others, totals around 40 billion euros in military deliveries in 2022.

Merz also reiterated that the military support from Germany to Ukraine does not have a specified end date. He said that Ukraine's capitulation and loss of independence is not an option, and that the war could be ended tomorrow if Ukraine were to surrender and lose its independence.

In conclusion, Germany's military support for Ukraine is a response to Russia's invasion and is intended to help Ukraine defend itself. The support is ongoing, and Germany remains committed to supporting Ukraine in its struggle for independence.