Germany Plans Rapid Military Buildup Under Chancellor Merz Amid Russia Concerns

Since taking office in May 2025, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has adopted a markedly tougher stance on Russia, supporting Ukraine's right to conduct long-range missile strikes and pledging to increase Germany's defense spending to 3.5% of its GDP by 2029, surpassing NATO's previous 2% target. This militarization agenda has drawn sharp criticism from Russia, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova condemning Merz's escalating anti-Russian rhetoric and labeling Germany's military buildup a serious cause for concern, especially for German citizens. Merz's commitment to building "the strongest European army" reflects his broader foreign and defense policy ambitions amid a complex geopolitical landscape marked by the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict, rising energy prices, and strained transatlantic relations under President Donald Trump’s administration. Additionally, Merz has publicly acknowledged Europe's historic overreliance on U.S. military support, emphasizing the need for greater European defense autonomy and prompting calls for increased defense investments across the continent. Germany's shift under Merz signals a significant reorientation from previous cautious defense policies toward a more assertive military posture in response to evolving regional and global security challenges.