German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated in the Bundestag that the country is determined to build the strongest conventional army in Europe.
He also emphasized that “friends and partners” expect this approach from Germany and even “demand” it.
Strengthening the Bundeswehr is a priority for us. In the future, the German government will provide all the necessary financial resources to ensure that our military potential becomes the largest in Europe, Merz said during his first government statement in parliament.
Since March 25, amendments to the German Constitution have come into force, providing for a significant increase in public borrowing to finance defense and infrastructure. These amendments allowed the Bundestag’s budget committee to approve the allocation of an additional €3 billion in military aid to Ukraine.
The announcement of the reform plans came shortly after a tense discussion in the White House between U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President Jay D. Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Merz also referred to recent decisions by U.S. authorities in his speech, justifying the need for increased defense spending.
