Berlin: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated Sunday that the war in Ukraine could last for a long time, stressing that ending it quickly at Ukraine's expense is not an acceptable option.
According to Qatar News Agency, in an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF, when asked about the possibility of a ceasefire this year, Merz said he had not lost hope but was under no illusions. He emphasized that supporting Ukraine's defense against Russia was a top priority.
Merz made it clear that he seeks to end the war as quickly as possible, but he certainly rejects it coming at the expense of Ukraine's surrender.
The German Chancellor added that then the next country will be at risk the day after tomorrow, and the day after that it will be Germany, and that is not an option.
Germany is a major supporter of Ukraine, having provided or pledged approximately 40 billion Euros in military support since the start of the Russian military operation in Ukraine in February 2022.