Merz in Berlin says some US congressmen clueless on Russia’s military buildup

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed concern over the lack of awareness among some US lawmakers about Russia’s extensive military rearmament while speaking at an event in Berlin shortly after his trip to the White house.

Merz shared insights on home soil on Friday (6 June) after his recent Washington DC visit, where he met US President Donald Trump and other influential figures at the US Congress. He expressed frustration after discussions with US senators on Capitol Hill, stating, “I met with some senators and asked them to draw attention to the rearmament that Russia is carrying out. They clearly have no idea what’s going on there now”.

While he did not disclose the names of the senators, his comments underscored a perceived gap in understanding among some US lawmakers about the extent of Russia’s military advancements.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Moscow has shifted its defense industry into overdrive, operating factories around the clock and forging arms supply agreements with North Korea and Iran.

This escalation has raised alarm among European leaders, who warn that Russia could soon pose a direct threat to NATO territory.

Merz’s visit to Washington marks him as the latest European leader seeking to engage Trump on the critical need to support Ukraine and bolster European security through NATO. The German chancellor emerged from the talks cautiously optimistic, reassured by Trump’s firm dismissal of speculation about a US withdrawal from NATO. “Decisively not”, Trump reportedly said when asked about such plans, according to Merz.

The meeting also touched on NATO’s defense spending commitments, a longstanding priority for Trump.

Merz endorsed the US president’s call for NATO members to increase their defense budgets beyond the current 2% of GDP target, potentially aiming for 5%.

In a significant gesture, Trump confirmed that US troops would remain stationed in Germany, a commitment Merz welcomed while acknowledging Europe’s long-term reliance on American support. “Whether we like it or not, we will depend on the United States for a long time”, Merz noted in Berlin meeting.

Beyond NATO, Merz emphasized a shared US responsibility to intensify pressure on Russia. The chancellor described his first official visit to Trump as productive, signaling a willingness to align on key strategic issues.

The talks reflect broader European efforts to navigate Trump’s second term, particularly as concerns grow over Russia’s military ambitions and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Merz’s warnings align with mounting European anxieties about Moscow’s capabilities. With Russia’s defense sector expanding rapidly, European officials are pressing for stronger transatlantic cooperation to counter potential threats.

The German chancellor’s candid remarks in Berlin serve as a call to action for both US and European policymakers to prioritize collective security in an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape. Merz’s warnings after Washington trip come alongside his own commitments to bolster Germany’s military capabilities, a cornerstone of his chancellorship.

Caption: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivers a speech during the ‘Family Business Day’ in Berlin, Germany, 06 June 2025. [EPA/HANNIBAL HANSCHKE]