Europe is not at war, but "we are no longer at peace" with Russia, said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, quoted by Reuters and BTA.
"Let me put it in a phrase that may sound a bit shocking at first glance: we are not at war, but we are no longer at peace", the German Chancellor emphasized at a media event in Düsseldorf.
The war waged by Russia is "a war against our democracy and a war against our freedom," Merz added. Moscow's intention is to undermine unity in the bloc, he noted.
He also referred to his recent approval of an EU plan to unfreeze frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine's military efforts, saying the move could provide military support for Ukraine for a period of three to five years.
Within that period, it could become economically impossible for Russia to continue its war against Ukraine, Merz noted.