Original Source
German Chancellor Merz: 'Easing Russian Sanctions is Wrong'
Call for Increased Pressure on Russia
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on March 13, 2026, in Andoya, Norway, that Russia continues to demonstrate no willingness to negotiate. Chancellor Merz emphasized that it is therefore necessary to increase pressure on Moscow. He asserted, "We will and we must therefore have to increase the pressure on Moscow."
Opposition to Sanctions Easing and Support for Ukraine
Chancellor Merz highlighted that easing sanctions now, for whatever reason, is wrong, even after the U.S. issued a 30-day waiver for countries to buy sanctioned Russian oil. He firmly stated, "Easing sanctions now, for whatever reason, is something we believe is wrong." Furthermore, Merz affirmed that Germany will continue its support for Ukraine and will not be deterred or distracted from this by the war in Iran.
*Source: YouTube: Reuters (2026-03-13)*
