Merz disappointed by EU stance: We are unable to exert sufficient pressure on Putin, we depend on US help

2025-09-05 18:22:58Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

Merz disappointed by EU stance: We are unable to exert sufficient pressure on

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has publicly expressed his frustration at Europe's inability to exert sufficient pressure on Russia to end the war in Ukraine.

"We are not able to exert enough pressure on Putin to stop the war. We depend on American aid," Friedrich Merz said in an interview, as the West seeks new strategies to strengthen Ukraine, Bloomberg reports.

The German chancellor's statement reflects the concerns of many European leaders, who see that Washington, under President Donald Trump, seems reluctant to make specific commitments to Ukraine's security or to tougher sanctions against Moscow.

The initiative of the European Council, led by Antonio Costa, to send a delegation to the US for consultations on a new sanctions package is indicative.
Meanwhile, France is emerging as a key country in promoting a guarantee plan for Kiev.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced yesterday (September 4) that 26 countries are ready to contribute, even with troops, as part of a “coalition of the willing.” As he stressed, this presence is not aimed at war with Russia, but at ensuring peace and deterring future aggression.

For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky participated in the discussion in Paris, reiterating the need for a summit with Vladimir Putin.

The US president, however, has ruled out sending ground forces to Ukraine, leaving open the possibility of providing intelligence and air support.

In a teleconference with European leaders, Trump called on EU countries to impose a complete embargo on Russian oil and gas imports, in a bid to bring Putin to the negotiating table. Zelensky revealed that Hungary and Slovakia still supply Russian oil, presenting an obstacle to the unified line of sanctions.


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