Merz says EU loan is an open message to Moscow

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the European Union’s €90 billion loan package prepared for Ukraine is meant as a clear signal to Moscow. Speaking at a press conference in Brussels, Merz highlighted Europe’s determination to confront what he called the greatest security threat in decades. He stressed that Russia’s aggression has far exceeded a simple war against Ukraine, and that providing long-term financial support for Kyiv is essential for both Ukraine’s survival and for sending a strong message to the Kremlin.

Merz outlined that the EU’s decision to guarantee financial aid to Ukraine for several years goes beyond immediate relief, shaping Europe’s overall response to the ongoing conflict. He recalled that he had called for such multi-year support as early as October, arguing that this commitment was crucial not only for practical assistance but also for diplomatic leverage. “This is vital to ensure Ukraine’s survival, but it also sends a clear message to Moscow,” he said, underlining the broader geopolitical intentions behind the aid package.

Addressing other international matters, Merz discussed the EU-MERCOSUR agreement, acknowledging that some member states have expressed serious reservations. Despite these concerns, he pointed to the EU’s similar deal with Canada, which resulted in trade growth of over 50 percent in just eight years, as evidence that many of the worries were unfounded. Merz asserted that agriculture was not significantly impacted and that the business sector benefited tremendously, suggesting that similar positive effects could be expected from the MERCOSUR agreement.