German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned Russia under President Vladimir Putin as being at the 'lowest point of utter barbarity' in a speech delivered in Berlin ahead of the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. He said there should be no doubt about the nature of the regime in Moscow and denounced its ongoing actions in the war.

The conflict, which began on February 24, 2022, has devastated Ukrainian towns, displaced millions of people and led to hundreds of thousands of casualties. Russia currently controls nearly one fifth of Ukraine’s territory and continues offensive operations, particularly in the eastern Donbas region, despite suffering heavy losses and facing repeated Ukrainian strikes on its supply lines.

Merz accused Russia of engaging in 'psychological warfare' and urged European nations to remain steadfast in their support for Ukraine. He rejected the notion that Russia is close to victory and called on European partners not to waver, warning that the outcome of the war could determine the fate of the continent.