Germany’s Merz calls for radical strengthening of Europe’s defence

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Europe must make far greater efforts to ensure its own defence than it has in the past.

Merz also criticised the new U.S. National Security Strategy, saying the document fully reflects the arguments made by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance at the Munich Security Conference in February 2025, where Vance sharply criticised Europe’s reliance on U.S. defence support.