Europe's long absence from world history is coming to an end, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced at the Munich Security Conference. Defending our freedom will require sacrifices, he warned.
The rules-based international order is a thing of the past, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told the Munich Security Conference (MSC), which is taking place in the Bavarian capital from today to Sunday (February 15). Its 62nd edition is attended by over 60 heads of state and government, as well as defense ministers from nearly 100 countries.
“This order, however imperfect it may have been even in the best of times, no longer exists“, the German Chancellor emphasized.
“Europe's long absence from world history is ending”
Friedrich Merz recalled that the conference was being held under the somber motto “In the process of ruin”. Citing a quote from the German philosopher Peter Sloterdijk, Merz announced that Europe's long absence from world history was ending. "We have crossed the threshold of an era that is once again characterized by the use of force and a policy dominated by the great powers," the German chancellor noted.
"Our freedom is under threat"
Friedrich Merz warned of the threat to freedom in a world dominated by the great powers. "In the age of the great powers, our freedom is no longer taken for granted. It is under threat," he stressed. "Protecting this freedom will require firmness and will. This means for us to be ready for change and, yes, even sacrifice. And not someday, but right now“, the German Chancellor emphasized.
Merz accused Russia of "violent revisionism"
The German Chancellor identified Russia's war against Ukraine and Moscow's use of force as the main sign of the destruction of the previous rules-based world order. “Russia's violent revisionism, its brutal war against Ukraine - this is only the most striking manifestation of this”, the German politician noted. According to him, war crimes are committed every day. “This is the most striking manifestation of this trend”, Merz said.
Europe must shake off its dependence on the US
“Nobody forced us to be so dependent on the United States as we have been recently“, Merz said. According to him, this dependence occurred “through no fault of our own. But now we will leave this state behind us - better today than tomorrow”, the German Chancellor said.
In this regard, Merz presented a “Freedom Program”, which should outline the path to greater independence. It also includes steps to make Europe a military power and to forge stronger, global partnerships.
However, these words of the German Chancellor should not be understood as declaring the end of the transatlantic partnership, public broadcaster ZDF emphasizes. Rather, Merz called for a new beginning in relations between Europe and the United States, in which Europe would be a strong and largely independent pillar.
China challenges US leadership
The German head of government also stressed that China also claims global leadership. Beijing is rethinking the international order "in its own spirit", US leadership "is being challenged, probably lost", Friedrich Merz pointed out.
The highest priority is "the strengthening of Europe within NATO" - The goal should be to reduce "our dependence and vulnerability," Merz stressed in his speech. "We are investing enormously in reliable deterrence," he assured.