Germany's Merz: 'No illusions' over quick end to conflict in Ukraine

DPA International via Yahoo ^ | May 27th, 2025 | Unattributed

[Mariner]

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday said he has "no illusions" over a quick end to Russia's war in Ukraine.

"We may have to prepare for a longer duration," Merz said after talks with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in the south-western Finnish city of Turku.

Throughout history, conflicts have usually ended when one or both sides have reached exhaustion, either militarily or economically, said Merz.

"We are obviously still a long way from that in this war," he argued.

The German chancellor, who took office earlier this month, insisted that support for Ukraine would continue.

The war is not just about Ukraine's territorial integrity, he suggested.

"The political order that we established together with Russia after 1990 is being called into question," said Merz. "We are being threatened and we are defending ourselves against this."

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TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Germany; News/Current Events; Russia; Ukraine
KEYWORDS: 1990s; finland; germany; hailvictory; putinistas; russia; ukraine

[Mariner]

I don't think the average German voter is up for this. The economic destruction has been a big blow, to their pride and to their bottom line.

Same can be said of France.

Lots of bravado going around, and that's dangerous.

[Rummyfan]

I should not think so... as it’s been going on for almost three years.

[janetjanet998]

Well Mr green shirt, piano playing penis man himself will be in Germany tomorrow and I’m sure he and Merz will hold a presser and open his big mouth again making things worse

[rrrod]

Exactly.

[glorgau]

Yep, there are still millions of Ukrainians remaining that can be used in that furnace.

[Zhang Fei]

Ukraine ping

Not such a surprise. Russia is geared up for a long war, running 2% budget deficits vs Trump’s proposed 7% peacetime deficit. Now, this means hardware deficits and Russian troops attempting to advance in civilian vehicles, including golf carts and scooters, to offset the expense of wartime military pay that is now 4x peacetime levels, and astronomical death benefits for the family of military dead.

This is actually a reason Russia is so cavalier with its men. If you’re paying them outsized amounts, why not send them on impossible missions? Make them earn their keep.

Similarly, the minimal level of funding provided by Europe to Ukraine means the aid could continue for a hundred years, if necessary. The deciding factor won’t be ability, but willingness to pay. Europeans love their non-defense boondoggles. There’s no guarantee they’ll be willing to continue funding, even at these nugatory levels, for an extended period. And this penny-wise, pound-foolish inclination is one reason Putin is confident his bet will work out. Just as Russia would have been defeated by Germany in the absence of Lend Lease, Ukraine will fall without European aid.

[BeauBo]

Maybe Metz will provide Taurus missiles for the Crimean Bridge…

[AndyJackson]

I dunno! Way the nut cases are all talking this could be over in a flash.

[Zhang Fei]

[Maybe Metz will provide Taurus missiles for the Crimean Bridge…]

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The theory is that closing the bridge will crimp Russian logistics. I’m skeptical. They’ve got a perfectly good land corridor, plenty of local roads they can widen/improve. Ukrainian propaganda, like its Russian counterpart, tends to overegg the pudding.

[marktwain]

Ukrainian propaganda, like its Russian counterpart, tends to overegg the pudding.

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Both sides have been waging heavy information warfare from the beginning. It is to be expected.