Friedrich Merz admits that he underestimated the threat posed by Vladimir Putin before the invasion of Ukraine and emphasizes the need for a firmer response from Europe.

In an interview, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledges that he was wrong in assessing the threat posed by Vladimir Putin, emphasizing that he should have reacted earlier, especially after the invasion of Crimea in 2014. He highlights the historical impact of the attack on Ukraine, mentioning that Putin attacked the second largest country in Europe. Merz criticizes Putin's authoritarian regime and expresses his desire to collaborate with Emmanuel Macron to strengthen Europe's position and reduce dependence on the United States.