New sound from Berlin as Merz urges European defence autonomy
Berlin (AFP) Feb 24, 2025 German conservative Friedrich Merz had just won the election when he dropped a bombshell: with Trump casting doubt on future defence ties, he said, Europe may have to look after its own security. "I never thought I would have to say something like this," Merz said in a TV debate late Sunday before calling for an "independent European defence capability" as a possible alternative to "NATO in
Berlin (AFP) Feb 24, 2025
German conservative Friedrich Merz had just won the election when he dropped a bombshell: with Trump casting doubt on future defence ties, he said, Europe may have to look after its own security.
"I never thought I would have to say something like this," Merz said in a TV debate late Sunday before calling for an "independent European defence capability" as a possible alternative to "NATO in
German conservative Friedrich Merz had just won the election when he dropped a bombshell: with Trump casting doubt on future defence ties, he said, Europe may have to look after its own security.
"I never thought I would have to say something like this," Merz said in a TV debate late Sunday before calling for an "independent European defence capability" as a possible alternative to "NATO in 
