Merz: Europe still misreads Putin's broader strategy to weaken democracies

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz asserts that Europe has yet to grasp Putin's true objective, framing the Ukraine war as part of a wider strategy to weaken democracies and destabilize the continent. This marks a notable rhetorical escalation from a Western leader, signaling potential shifts in European policy posture. The claim is an assessment rather than a confirmed fact, and its impact depends on subsequent policy actions.