New German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz has declared that Germany will continue to “firmly stand with Ukraine,” and do everything it can to end the war as quickly as possible.
This came during a press conference with European Council President, António Costa as part of his inaugural visit to Brussels.
Merz stressed that Ukrainians need to be involved in any discussions, and pledged that the EU would continue to “support Ukraine in being able to effectively defend itself.”
“We call upon Russia to now engage in a path towards a lasting peace, and if that does not happen, we will not hesitate to increase the pressure of sanctions with our European partner and the United States.”
Friedrich Merz
During the joint press conference, Merz paid tribute to one of the founding fathers of the European Union, Robert Schuman, for his foresight that “no one single country would be able to overcome the challenges alone that he saw 75 years ago and that we see again today.”
He stressed that he started his term in office by visiting Paris and Warsaw, but wants all European partners to “be able to trust Germany, and know they can rely on Germany.”
Outlining his priorities for EU policy, he said that member states should prioritise advancing the EU single market as a driver of the bloc’s competitiveness and push for simplifying the rules.
The German Chancellor also defended his government plans to tighten border checks, insisting that – despite reports in the German press – he had not declared a state of national emergency on migration, and all checks will comply with EU laws.
After his meeting with Costa, Merz met European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen.
Merz called for the cancellation of the European Union’s supply chain law during his inaugural visit to Brussels as head of government.
Speaking alongside European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, he noted, “We will revoke the national law in Germany,” adding that he also expects the European Union to follow suit and really cancel the directive.
The so-called Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) is part of von der Leyen’s long-term push for more sustainable and climate-friendly regulations.
The law, this was adopted last year and is to be applied from 2028, aims to strengthen human rights worldwide. Large companies are to be held accountable for human rights violations in their supply chains including child or forced labour.
Some companies however see the directive as adding excessive requirements that would impose bureaucratic burdens and reduce Europe’s competitiveness.
The law, this was adopted last year and is to be applied from 2028, aims to strengthen human rights worldwide. Large companies are to be held accountable for human rights violations in their supply chains including child or forced labour.
Some companies however see the directive as adding excessive requirements that would impose bureaucratic burdens and reduce Europe’s competitiveness.
Merz welcomed the commission’s effort to reduce bureaucracy and red tape in other areas.
United Front In US Trade War
Speaking to reporters during his first visit in Brussels since his election as Chancellor earlier this week, Merz said that he laid out the European stance on tariffs during a phone call with US President, Donald Trump.
“I explained to him that this won’t be possible with other European nations that are members of the European Union because we can and want to act only united on trade matters.”
Merz added that he had the impression that Trump had understood and accepted that fact during the call, when the German leader pushed for the US to de-escalate its stance. “I told him that from my point of view it’s not a good idea to escalate this trade dispute,” Merz said.
He asserted that his “strong conviction” is that “zero tariffs would be best.”
Meanwhile, European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, said that she would only go to Washington to discuss trade with Trump if a concrete offer is on the table.
The European Commission, the bloc’s executive arm that handles trade matters, is kick-starting negotiations with the US administration this week.
Commission officials are expected to present Washington with a menu of options — including ideas to lower trade and non-tariff barriers and boosting investments in America — that could be turned into formal proposals.
READ ALSO: Russia Marks 80th Anniversary Of Nazi Defeat With Victory Day Parade
