German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Europe remains committed to maintaining a strong NATO alliance despite growing differences with the United States over the ongoing Iran war and related geopolitical issues. He made these remarks during a joint press conference in Stockholm with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. Moreover, he emphasized that cooperation within NATO remains essential for long-term European and global security.
Merz acknowledged that tensions between the administration of US President Donald Trump and European NATO partners have increased in recent months, particularly over defence spending and foreign policy disagreements. These differences became more visible after several European countries refused to support the US and Israel’s military actions against Iran, which began at the end of February. Consequently, concerns about alliance unity have grown among policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic.
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Despite these disagreements, Merz stressed that Europe and the United States still share the same ultimate objective of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons and ending the ongoing war. He said both sides must work together to resolve the conflict and avoid further escalation in the Middle East. Furthermore, he highlighted that Sweden and Finland have strengthened NATO’s European pillar by increasing their strategic contributions.
Relations between Washington and Berlin have faced additional strain after earlier remarks by Merz describing Iran as “humiliating” the United States, which triggered a strong reaction from President Donald Trump. In response, the US reportedly ordered the withdrawal of 5,000 troops and cancelled planned deployments of long-range Tomahawk missiles. However, Merz argued that unity of purpose was more important than troop numbers in maintaining alliance strength.
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The German chancellor also stated that Europe is actively investing in its defence capabilities after years of limited military spending, especially in response to what he described as an emerging threat from Russia. He said rebuilding military strength is necessary to ensure Europe’s security and to support NATO’s long-term effectiveness. In addition, he noted that strong cooperation with the United States remains vital for deterrence and regional stability.
Meanwhile, Merz expressed disappointment over Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s reported decision to attend events in Moscow during Russia’s World War Two victory celebrations. Although Fico later clarified that he did not attend the military parade itself, the visit highlighted ongoing divisions within Europe over relations with Russia. Therefore, Merz called for continued dialogue among European leaders to maintain unity and address growing geopolitical challenges.