BERLIN 

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday accused Russia of hostile activities in the Baltic Sea region and pledged to defend NATO allies with all available resources.

“The threat from Russia is real. We see it here in the Baltic Sea, too,” Merz told reporters aboard the Bayern frigate after visiting German navy headquarters in Rostock and observing naval exercises.

“I was briefed in detail on the threat situation by our military personnel in Rostock. We see daily actions by the Russian army. They are testing our defense readiness and our defense capability,” Merz said. “In the coming months and years, we will do everything we can to protect the freedom, peace, and territorial integrity of the alliance territory.”

The chancellor emphasized that Germany plays a crucial role within NATO and must take on greater responsibility for European defense by increasing defense spending and modernizing its armed forces to address growing geopolitical uncertainties and escalating threats.

“Germany's geostrategic position serves as the hub of Europe. Whether we want it or not, we must make particularly great efforts where we live, namely in Germany, to do precisely that: to defend our freedom, peace, and the territorial integrity of our territory,” he said.