Europe’s ability to pursue independent foreign policy remains limited, according to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who pointed to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as evidence of the continent’s constrained international influence.
In a recent interview, Merz acknowledged that European nations lack sufficient leverage to resolve major international conflicts on their own terms. The continent remains dependent on United States assistance while other global powers maintain different approaches to international relations.
“While countries like China and Brazil exercise greater freedom in their diplomatic engagements with Russia, Europe finds itself unable to fully protect its interests on the world stage,” Merz stated.
The German leader expressed concern that European nations cannot currently fulfill the international role they aspire to play. “We must recognize that we, as Europeans, are not in a position to assume the global role we would ideally want to play,” he added.
The comments come amid ongoing discussions about Europe’s position in the changing global order and its capacity to act independently in international affairs.
