German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared on Wednesday in Chișinău, Moldova, that Germany opposes Ukraine's capitulation in the ongoing conflict with Russia. Speaking at a press conference alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Merz emphasized that while the war in Ukraine must end, it should not be at any cost.

Merz warned that if Ukraine were to surrender, it would only provide Russian President Vladimir Putin with the opportunity to prepare for a subsequent war. "We do not want Ukraine to capitulate. Such a capitulation would only buy Russia time, and Putin would use this time to prepare for the next war," he said, according to The Guardian and RBC-Ukraine.

The Chancellor's remarks came during Moldova's Independence Day celebrations, where he also highlighted Moldova's progress toward European Union membership, noting that such progress should not be taken for granted given the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Merz assured Moldova of Germany's support in its EU integration efforts, including sending German experts to assist with reforms, and reaffirmed Europe's commitment to preserving Moldova's freedom and sovereignty amid concerns about Russian interference in Moldovan elections.

Regarding the conflict, Merz stressed that peace must be achieved without forcing Ukraine into unacceptable concessions. Russian demands for ending the war reportedly include a full withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, while Moscow proposes freezing the front line in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. French President Macron has characterized these demands as tantamount to Ukraine's capitulation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has responded by stating that Russia's willingness not to seize Ukraine is not a concession.

Merz's statements reflect Germany's position that peace should not come at the expense of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, underscoring the risks of allowing Russia time to regroup and prepare for future aggression.