German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will undertake an important diplomatic visit to Brussels on Friday, where he plans to hold a series of meetings with high-ranking EU and NATO officials
This is his first foreign trip in office since becoming Chancellor earlier this week and holds extraordinary significance for the future development of European policy and security strategy. According to the German news agency DPA, during his visit, Merz will meet with several key leaders—including NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. These meetings aim to demonstrate Berlin’s commitment to establishing close and joint cooperation with all structures of the European Union and the Alliance on the eve of crucial security events. Following initial steps in Paris and Warsaw on Wednesday, which marked his first official international visits as Chancellor, Merz called for strengthening interactions among EU countries and renewing European sovereignty. In a time when global politics are shifting under external pressures and significant changes in the security landscape, he has clarified his position on the necessity of creating a more independent and united Europe. Specifically, the politician emphasized the importance of closer cooperation with France and Poland to jointly counter Russian aggression and reinforce collective defense. Additionally, he highlighted plans to refocus on issues of European sovereignty, responding to external challenges—particularly in the context of US foreign policy shifts under President Donald Trump, which increasingly prioritize national interests and move away from EU and NATO unity. Meetings with NATO representatives will also carry substantial political and strategic significance. The main topics of discussion will be the war in Ukraine and the alliance’s preparations for possible threats from Russia. It is expected that conversations will focus on enhancing defense capabilities and coordinating unified actions in response to internal and external security challenges. Merz’s visit takes place ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague, scheduled for next month. This will be the first alliance summit after Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency in January. At this meeting, member countries are expected to reaffirm their commitment to collective defense and to address key issues regarding strengthening defense capabilities and joint strategies to counter aggression. Additionally, during diplomatic contacts, Merz has already had a brief phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 8. According to Ukraine’s leader, the conversation resulted in an agreement to continue close cooperation on security and political issues and to implement several important initiatives. Merz, in turn, promised to visit Kyiv soon, a move that would symbolize support for Ukraine during difficult times and demonstrate the unity of European partners in countering Russian aggression. It is expected that these diplomatic steps and planned meetings will provide new momentum for cooperation between the European Union, NATO, and Ukraine, strengthen a unified strategy against external threats, and contribute to enhancing the region’s defensive capabilities. Through his strategic activity, Merz aims not only to reinforce Germany’s position as a key player in European politics but also to underscore the importance of joint responses to modern global security challenges in the current political reality.