No more European 'free-riding' on US security policy, says Germany's Merz

Berlin [Germany], June 25: Europe can no longer engage in "free-riding" on US security policy and must invest in defence to become independent of the United States, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday.
US reservations about Europe must finally be dispelled, said Merz at the "Day of Industry" in Berlin.
Washington has accepted low European defence spending for many decades, but will "not any more," he said.
Even a new US administration would not return to previous thinking, the chancellor argued: "We Europeans must become stronger on our own." European countries must concentrate on their strengths and eliminate weaknesses step by step, Merz said.
He also warned that, "in view of the very rigid stance of the Russian regime," Ukraine will have to be supported for much longer. "Our resilience is required not only militarily, but above all politically." "We must defend our freedom: against sabotage, cyberattacks, fake news, attempts to destabilize our country and all attempts to divide Europe," said Merz. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune