The European Union (EU) must forge partnerships with countries like Türkiye, India and Brazil to address global challenges, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, Merz said closer integration among EU members and ties with the United States, while important, are no longer sufficient to address today's economic and security challenges.
"We need to establish a strong network of global partnerships," Merz said. "Canada and Japan, Türkiye, India, and Brazil will play a key role in this, as will South Africa, the Gulf States, and others."
The conservative leader emphasised that the EU should strengthen cooperation with these nations based on mutual respect and a long-term perspective, focusing on shared concerns.
"This would avoid dependencies and risks and, at the same time, open up opportunities and possibilities for both sides," Merz said.
We share a fundamental interest in a political order in which we can trust agreements and in which we are able to tackle global problems together."
Ukraine
Merz also said he was "ready to talk" with Russian leaders but maintained that Russia is not yet prepared for "serious" peace talks with Ukraine.
"If it makes sense to talk, we are willing to talk," Merz said.
"But as you can see with the American side, Russia is not yet willing to talk seriously."
"This war will only end when Russia is at least economically, [and] potentially militarily, exhausted. We're approaching this time," Merz said.
"But we are not yet there. Russia has to give up this war against Ukraine, and we have to do everything that is needed to bring them to the point where they see no further advantages for them to continue this terrible war," he added.
"We are not yet there."
