Germany's Merz promises to do 'whatever it takes' on defence

Germany's likely chancellor-to-be announces a political deal to raise hundreds of billions of euros in extra spending.

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"In view of the threats to our freedom and peace on our continent, the rule for our defence now has to be 'whatever it takes'," he said.

Merz, whose conservatives won Germany's election last month, said he and his likely coalition partners from the centre left would put new proposals to parliament next week.

He has spoken of a need for urgency on German spending in light of "recent decisions by the American government".

Merz, 69, did not elaborate but he has been outspoken in his criticism of President Donald Trump's treatment of Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c981w25y5wpo

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