Mertz did not rule out the possibility of creating a European alternative to NATO.

Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union, which won the elections in Germany, stated that Europe may develop an alternative security format by the NATO summit in June.

Politico writes about this.

According to Merz, the European continent must immediately strengthen its defense and create an alliance within a few months that could potentially replace NATO.

Previously, he suggested expanding nuclear cooperation between France, the United Kingdom, and Germany as a substitute for the American nuclear umbrella, which would ensure security against a potential attack from Russia, the publication noted.

Politico reports that due to the criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by U.S. President Donald Trump and his suggestions that American troops might withdraw from Europe, Merz compared Trump's policies to Russia's tactics. In his view, Trump is little concerned about Europe's fate.

At the same time, Merz mentioned that he still holds a "last hope" that the U.S. will not exclude Ukraine from peace negotiations.

Background. Earlier, Mind reported that Friedrich Merz, the opposition CDU/CSU candidate for the chancellorship of Germany, expressed that he was shocked by the recent statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Russia's war against Ukraine. He described Trump's remarks as "a classic case of swapping the roles of the criminal and the victim."