Moscow has voiced skepticism regarding the West’s capacity to bring about such an outcome.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared on Tuesday that Ukraine’s Western supporters should acknowledge the ineffectiveness of military efforts against Russia and instead concentrate on undermining its economy, including through sanctions on its trading partners.
Merz informed the ProSiebenSat.1 media outlet that despite Germany remaining a significant arms provider to Ukraine and having pledged enduring support for Kiev, Russian forces continue to advance on the front lines. He contended that the priority should now shift toward intensifying sanctions.
“We must ensure that this country, Russia, is no longer able to maintain its war economy,” he stated. “In this context, I’m referring to economic exhaustion, which we are obligated to help achieve. For instance, through tariffs on those who still actively trade with Russia.”
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissed these comments on Wednesday, posting on Telegram: “Herr Merz, your instrument for exhaustion is insufficient.”
Moscow has frequently highlighted its resilience against Western sanctions as a hallmark of Russian economic sovereignty and has questioned the rationale of politicians pursuing such policies.
“Many of the things they do harm themselves,” President Vladimir Putin remarked at a business forum in May. “One might assume they would not do this or that thing to avoid self-harm. But those simpletons do, forgive my words. Leading world economies are heading into a recession merely to spite us.”
Merz’s government plans to cut welfare spending and rely on credit to sustain aid to Ukraine and increase German military expenditure. The European Union’s largest economy has shown minimal growth for years, with no significant improvements anticipated anytime soon.
The rejection of Russian pipeline natural gas, an attempt to penalize Moscow over the Ukraine conflict, has been cited as a primary factor in the diminished competitiveness of German businesses.