German Chancellor Says Europe Is Not At War With Russia But Also No Longer At Peace

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. (Wikimedia Commons/European People's Party)

JAKARTA - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Art Day Europe was "not at war but also no longer at peace" with Russia.

"Let me explain it in a sentence that may come as a bit of a surprise to the first sight. We are not at war, but we are also no longer at peace," Chancellor Merz explained at a media event in Duesseldorf.

Russia's war is a "war against our democracy and a war against our freedom," Chancellor Merz said, adding that Moscow's intention was to undermine unity in the bloc.

He also referred to his recent support for the EU's plans to open frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine's war efforts, saying the move could provide military support to Ukraine for three to five years.

Chancellor Merz added that within that period Russia would not be able economically to continue its war on Ukraine.