Germany鈥檚 defense of European values
The country has moved to boost military commitments and is outspoken about holding Russia accountable for its aggression in Ukraine. This candor affirms a growing willingness to step out of history鈥檚 shadow 鈥� and shine the light of democracy.
Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived at the EU Summit in Brussels, Dec. 18, to push for using frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine.
AP
In Germany, a national culture of remembrance 鈥� conscious of never repeating the horrors of Nazi militarism 鈥� is confronting the imperative of rearmament to support a reassertion of Europe鈥檚 core values. As Russia continues to wage war on Ukraine, Germans鈥� cultural shift offers guideposts to effectively defending Europe鈥檚 security 鈥� as well as its liberal, democratic traditions.
Earlier this month, the German Parliament voted to add more than 70,000 new troops to its army by 2035. This week, it passed the largest defense appropriation to date, at 鈧�50 billion (nearly $60 billion).聽Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also pushed hard for Europe to use frozen Russian financial assets as collateral for loans to Ukraine's beleaguered government.
These moves are not without risk. Domestically, as a Monitor news article recently reported, there is little appetite for military service among young Germans.聽Concerned about legal action or other retaliation, European leaders decided on Dec. 19 not to use the Russian assets to fund a new loan of nearly $105 billion to Ukraine.聽Meanwhile, Europe is also confronting a fraying relationship with the United States.
鈥淢erz well understands the Russian threat to Europe, risks to the transatlantic alliance from Washington, and the economic opportunities [of becoming] a European defense hub,鈥� noted an analyst with the Atlantic Council this summer. 鈥淎nd most importantly, he鈥檚 prepared to do something about it.鈥�
This willingness to act underscores the German leader鈥檚 view that there is much at stake 鈥� and that Western Europe鈥檚 largest country (both by population and economic power) needs to step up to the demands. Timidity is not an option.
鈥淯kraine鈥檚 fate is the fate of all Europe,鈥� he said this week, urging European Union members to show they are capable of 鈥渟tanding together and acting to defend our own political order.鈥� (Germany鈥檚 military spending will help its neighbors, as more than 90% of it involves purchases from European industry.)
Mr. Merz has also spoken with conviction to German citizens about the rapid military and mindset transformation he believes is needed to counter Russia鈥檚 overt and covert threats to regional stability.
Even as American envoys shuttle between Russian, Ukrainian, and European leaders, Mr. Merz has urged the U.S. president to focus on elements for a lasting peace, which would include holding Russia accountable for the damage and loss from the nearly four-year war.
Germany鈥檚 newfound confidence and recognition of its potential for positive impact is reassuring to Ukraine and European allies. But it is also encouraging to its own people 鈥� signaling a readiness to move out of the shadow of the past, while still using its lessons to chart a future based on moral clarity and democratic values.
Editor鈥檚 note: This editorial has been updated to reflect the European Council鈥檚 Dec. 19 decision not to use frozen Russian assets as backing for a new loan to Ukraine.