The Russian president's “imperialist plan” will not end with the conquest of Ukraine. This was stated by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, according to DW.

“Every day, we are facing increasingly intense hybrid attacks from Russia, including attacks on our infrastructure,” he said. 

Moscow has destroyed “the rules-based order, the European architecture of peace,” and Germany faces “historic tasks” in “building a new security architecture that must last for several decades,” the German chancellor believes.

“What we call the liberal world order is under pressure from many sides, including within the political West,” Merz said.

The chancellor is confident that Germany's relations with the US and China will change in the coming years. "The US is reviewing its interests, and this did not start in the last few days. We in Europe must also adjust our interests, without false nostalgia," he said. 

It is necessary to work on a new trading system and diversify raw material and trade chains, the chancellor believes. Speaking about China, Merz called for a policy that is more security-oriented. We should cooperate with Beijing on climate issues and global crises. “But at the same time, we are seeing an intensification of systemic rivalry,” Merz stressed.