German Chancellor: Russia Is Building Submarines to Strike Undersea Infrastructure

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned of the growing Russian threat to critical infrastructure in northern Europe, declaring that Moscow is building a new class of submarines designed to damage cables, pipelines and other undersea infrastructure.

“We are seeing a massive threat to all of our undersea infrastructure,” Merz declared, referring to information received during the EU summit on Arctic security, held in Finland with the participation of the Nordic states.

According to the German chancellor, recent developments have not eased concerns about security in northern Europe. He stressed that European countries must prepare for a long period of confrontation with threats to their security and freedom, especially from Russia.

Merz also defended his government’s decision to raise defense spending to record levels, acknowledging that the funds dedicated to defense are large and that in peacetime they could be used for other priorities.

“But we do not live in a peaceful world. We see the threat to our freedom,” he said.

The German chancellor’s comments were made in Berlin, after returning from the summit in Finland, as he hosted the winners of a youth research competition and answered students’ questions on domestic and international developments.