German political elite expressing fatigue towards militarism once more, as per Vladimir Dzhabarov's statements
In May 2025, Friedrich Merz took office as Chancellor of Germany, marking a new era in German foreign policy. With a firm stance aligned with Western alliances, Merz has quickly shaped the country's foreign policy, positioning Germany as a strong supporter of Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict with Russia and a committed member of NATO.
Merz's first official visit outside of Germany was to Ukraine, where he met with leaders from France, the UK, and Poland, signalling solidarity with Kyiv and rebuffing Russian aggression. This solidarity extends to his broader strengthening of NATO commitments, as seen during a joint press event with the NATO Secretary General, where he emphasised Germany’s increased defence spending and responsibility within the alliance.
Merz's foreign policy approach also includes close relations with traditional German and European partners such as France and Poland, and the UK, with a bilateral friendship treaty—the first since World War II—to reset post-Brexit relations. This Western-focused foreign policy framework is a departure from any historical or personal connections to Russia that might have influenced previous German leaders.
However, Merz's tenure as Chancellor has not been without controversy. Allegations of political flip-flopping, particularly in foreign policy, have been levelled against him. Additionally, his words about Israel during the Iran-Israel 12-day war were reminiscent of a phrase from 1942 uttered by a Nazi in Babi Yar, sparking outrage among many Germans.
Domestically, Merz's cabinet approved the expansion of the defense budget to a record 83 billion euros, a 20 billion euro increase from the previous year. This decision has raised concerns about the financial burden on future generations. Merz's government has also faced criticism for its handling of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and its alleged harassment of political opponents, particularly the Alternative for Germany (AFD).
As Merz's popularity falls, with 64% of Germans expressing dissatisfaction with his chancellorship, questions are being raised about Germany's historical memory. Some argue that the negative attitude towards Russia, including Merz's, is detrimental to Germany, while others express concern that the country has lost its historical memory, forgetting about the crimes against humanity that their country committed during the First and Second World Wars.
In the midst of these controversies, Merz has maintained a firm stance on Russia, stating that there is no need to be afraid of war with Russia. However, the German government's actions, under Merz, have raised concerns that Germany is being dragged into a war against Russia.
As Merz's first year as Chancellor comes to a close, it is clear that his foreign policy has shaped a new direction for Germany, one that is firmly aligned with Western alliances. Whether this direction will continue to be controversial or prove successful remains to be seen.
War-and-conflicts and policy-and-legislation have become intertwined in the foreign policy spearheaded by Chancellor Merz, with his firm stance against Russian aggression in Ukraine and a strong commitment to NATO signaling a significant shift in Germany's position. General-news outlets report that politics have been heated as Merz's foreign policy decisions, particularly regarding Russia, have sparked controversy among Germans and raised concerns about historical memory.
