Germany's Merz Says Russia's Push to Destabilize Europe Is Underestimated

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned against complacency over the dangers posed by Russia, saying that President Vladimir Putin is seeking to not only defeat Ukraine, but to also undermine democracy in Europe and further integration. “My biggest concern is the underestimated Russian impact on our societies,” Merz said Monday in an exclusive interview with Bloomberg's Francine Lacqua. “Russia is on the way to destabilize the entire political order of our European continent.” Merz also said Europe has the ability to harness its strength and overcome economic malaise as he reinforced his plan to overhaul Germany’s social system and open it to investment in areas such as industrial artificial intelligence. (Source: Bloomberg)