The Chancellor of Germany condemns the “Russian terror against the civilian population” in Ukraine. “Russia wanted to create a blood bath”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday that the attacks recently made by Russian forces in Ukraine are “the worst war crimes” and said that Russia “has not attacked any military target, but the civilian population,” AFP reports.

Speaking in a press conference with his Dutch counterpart, Dick Schoof, the German leader criticized the “Russian terror against the civilian population” in Ukraine.

Friedrich Merz said that Russia's last actions were “anything other than a proportional response to very accurate Ukrainian attacks on the last week's military and infrastructure.”

“Russia wanted to create a blood bath, and the fact that this happened only in a limited way is due to the efficient defense of Ukraine,” said Germany's Chancellor, adding: “Once again, Russia climbs instead of negotiating.”

What did he say about sanctions

Regarding the new EU sanctions against Russia, Merz said that he was in contact with the President of the European Commission in recent days “and I encourage her to quickly introduce this new round” of measures.

“There will be additional sanctions on the banking sector, in the energy sector,” added the German official.

Friedrich Merz also stated that although Kiev allies are “ready for negotiations at any time, if the negotiations are refused, they are refused by the Russian side”, then the answer must be “military force and massive economic pressure.”

Ukraine's allies must convey to Russia “a signal of strength and discouragement”, stressed the chancellor of Germany.

“Unfortunately, this is the only language Moscow understands in the present weeks and months,” Merz concluded.

According to the announcement made by Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday, the European Commission proposed a 18th pack of sanctions against Russia for the Ukraine war, a package aimed at the income of Moscow in the energy sector, its banks and its military industry.