Germany News: Merz Praises NATO as Germany Expands Drone Forces

Key Points

• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz used the 2026 Westphalian Peace Prize ceremony in Münster to reaffirm Germany’s support for Ukraine.
• Merz warned that continued Russian military pressure could eventually pose a wider threat to Germany and NATO if Moscow is not stopped in Ukraine.
• He argued that German and European unity, alongside continued US involvement, remains important to negotiations with Russia.
• Merz said Germany would not allow itself to be divided by what he described as hybrid attacks, social-media activity and political campaigns linked to Russia.
• The Alternative for Germany (AfD) supports ending German military and financial assistance to Ukraine, lifting sanctions on Russia and restoring dialogue with Moscow.
• Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced that Germany will establish its first Bundeswehr drone regiment during 2027.
• Pistorius said the new independent unmanned-systems unit could have up to 600 personnel and systems with a range of up to 500 kilometres.
• Germany’s increased focus on drones reflects lessons drawn from Russia’s war in Ukraine, where unmanned systems have become an important part of battlefield operations.
• NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte accepted the Westphalian Peace Prize on behalf of the alliance in Münster.
• The Economic Society for Westphalia and Lippe awards the prize every two years, with the award linked to the historical Peace of Westphalia of 1648.

Germany Latest News (GLN) October 1, 2026 – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has reaffirmed Berlin’s support for Ukraine and warned that Russia’s war could eventually create a wider security threat for Germany and NATO if Moscow is not stopped in Ukraine. Speaking in Münster as NATO received the 2026 Westphalian Peace Prize, Merz linked European security to continued support for Kyiv, while Defence Minister Boris Pistorius separately announced plans to establish Germany’s first dedicated drone regiment in 2027. The planned unit is expected to have up to 600 personnel and reflects Germany’s effort to adapt its military capabilities to lessons emerging from the war in Ukraine.

What did Friedrich Merz say at the Westphalian Peace Prize ceremony?

According to Deutsche Welle (DW), in the report supplied for this story, Merz used the award ceremony to argue that Germany’s approach to the war in Ukraine has implications for the wider European security order.

Merz said that uncertainty in Germany could create uncertainty across Europe and, in turn, weaken Ukraine. His remarks centred on maintaining political unity while continuing assistance to Kyiv.

“If we waver in Germany, then Europe wavers. If Europe wavers, then Ukraine wavers as well,” Merz said, according to DW’s report.

The German chancellor also warned that the consequences of Russia’s war could extend beyond Ukraine if Moscow is not stopped.

As reported by DW, Merz said that if Russia were not halted, its war machine could eventually turn against Germany and NATO. He presented support for Ukraine as part of a wider German and European security policy rather than solely as assistance to another country.

Reuters independently reported on October 1 that Merz continued to support Ukraine and warned of further Russian hybrid attacks against Germany. Reuters said German authorities have repeatedly accused Russia of conducting a campaign involving cyber and drone attacks, while Moscow has rejected such accusations.

Why did Merz link Ukraine’s defence to European security?

Merz’s argument was that the outcome of the war in Ukraine could affect the broader European security environment.

According to the DW report, he warned that reducing German support could result in what he described as an “imposed peace”. He said such an outcome could destabilise the Ukrainian state and contribute to increased migration towards Western Europe.

The remarks came as European governments continue to assess the military and security consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Reuters reported that Merz also warned Germany was preparing for additional hybrid attacks, including potentially serious incidents. The Reuters report said German authorities had accused Moscow of involvement in an attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport in August. Russia has rejected accusations from Western governments and intelligence agencies concerning such activity.

The distinction between conventional military operations and hybrid activity has become increasingly relevant to European governments. Cyber incidents, sabotage allegations, disinformation campaigns and drone-related incidents have all contributed to concerns about security beyond the battlefield in Ukraine.

Merz’s comments therefore placed military support for Kyiv alongside Germany’s broader approach to national and European security.

What did Merz say about negotiations with Russia?

Merz also referred to recent diplomatic contacts involving Germany and Russia.

According to DW, he mentioned a meeting between German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in New York, although he did not dwell extensively on the encounter.

Merz argued that diplomatic engagement had not yet produced the outcome Germany wanted from Moscow. He said Russia understood what he called the “language of strength” and maintained that pressure was necessary to bring Moscow to negotiations.

The German chancellor also stressed the importance of unity among European countries and within NATO.

He said that strength and unity were prerequisites for successful negotiations with Moscow and linked this position to the importance of maintaining the United States as part of Western policy towards Ukraine.

The NATO Secretary General was also present in Münster. NATO had announced ahead of the event that Mark Rutte would meet Merz and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and visit the 1st German-Netherlands Corps before speaking at the Peace of Westphalia ceremony.

How is Germany responding to the changing military environment?

Alongside Merz’s political remarks, Pistorius announced a significant organisational development for the Bundeswehr.

According to DW’s report, the German defence minister said the Bundeswehr would establish its first drone regiment during 2027.

Pistorius described the formation as an independent unit for unmanned systems. The unit is expected to have up to 600 members, while the systems involved could have a range of up to 500 kilometres.

The minister said the experience of the war in Ukraine demonstrated the importance of unmanned systems in modern land warfare.

“Anyone who wants to prevail on land simply has to master the use of unmanned systems,” Pistorius said, according to DW.

The announcement represents a formal step towards expanding Germany’s institutional capacity for drone operations.

Rather than treating drones solely as equipment used by existing military formations, the planned regiment is intended to create a dedicated organisational structure focused on unmanned systems.

What lessons is Germany drawing from the war in Ukraine?

Germany’s interest in expanding drone capabilities is directly connected to developments on the Ukrainian battlefield.

The war has demonstrated the extensive use of unmanned aerial systems for surveillance, reconnaissance, targeting and attacks. Both Russia and Ukraine have incorporated drones into military operations on a large scale.

The DW report noted that Germany has been seeking to expand its military use of drones partly because of lessons from Ukraine.

The German army had already signalled an intention to increase its use of unmanned weapons systems. According to DW, army chief Christian Freuding announced in June that Germany would rapidly expand its drone and unmanned-weapons capabilities during a visit to the Freedom Shield 2026 military exercise in Lithuania.

The development is also occurring within a wider NATO effort to strengthen defence capabilities.

NATO’s own programme for Rutte’s October 1 visit included a visit to the 1st German-Netherlands Corps in Münster, underlining the importance of multinational military cooperation alongside Germany’s national defence changes.

What role does NATO play in the German government’s security policy?

NATO was the recipient of the 2026 International Westphalian Peace Prize, with Rutte accepting the award on behalf of the alliance.

The Economic Society for Westphalia and Lippe, which organises the prize, announced in 2025 that NATO would receive the 2026 award. The organisation said the award recognised NATO’s role in reliability, partnership and stability.

The official programme confirmed that Merz would deliver the laudatory speech for NATO at the October 1 ceremony in Münster.

Reuters photographs from the ceremony identify Merz as presenting the award to Rutte on October 1. The photographic material was credited to Fabian Strauch of dpa/Picture Alliance through Reuters Connect.

The ceremony therefore brought together Germany’s political leadership and NATO’s senior leadership at a time when European governments are discussing defence readiness, support for Ukraine and concerns about Russian activity.

What did Merz say about political divisions inside Germany?

The German chancellor also addressed domestic political disagreements over Ukraine policy.

According to DW, Merz said Germany would not allow itself to be divided by hybrid attacks, social-media activity that he attributed to Moscow-controlled bots, or political slogans associated with the AfD and what he described as Russian backing.

The AfD has taken a different position from the German government on Ukraine.

According to the DW report, the party advocates stopping German military and financial assistance to Ukraine, lifting sanctions against Russia and restoring dialogue with Moscow.

The issue has become part of a broader domestic debate over Germany’s foreign policy, defence spending and relationship with Russia.

Merz’s remarks therefore connected the external security debate with Germany’s internal political debate. His comments were made in the context of maintaining public and political support for Germany’s current Ukraine policy.

Reuters similarly reported that Merz highlighted concerns about division caused by disinformation campaigns and political rhetoric, while reaffirming Germany’s support for Ukraine.

What did NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte say?

Rutte accepted the Westphalian Peace Prize for NATO during the Münster ceremony.

Reporting published on October 1 said Rutte praised the alliance’s ability to defend its territory and emphasised continued investment in defence capabilities. He also said NATO would continue supporting Ukraine.

NATO had confirmed before the ceremony that Rutte would visit Münster on October 1, meet Merz and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, engage with the 1st German-Netherlands Corps and deliver a speech at the award ceremony.

The visit placed Germany within a broader NATO framework rather than treating the country’s defence changes as an isolated national development.

Germany is one of NATO’s major European members, while the German-Netherlands Corps is an example of the multinational military structures through which NATO members cooperate.

Why is Germany establishing a dedicated drone regiment?

The proposed drone regiment is significant because it gives unmanned systems a dedicated organisational role within the Bundeswehr.

According to the DW report, the regiment will be an independent unit and could comprise up to 600 personnel. Its reported operational range of up to 500 kilometres indicates that the formation is being planned around capabilities extending beyond short-range battlefield reconnaissance.

However, the announcement itself does not provide a complete operational description of the future regiment, including its precise equipment inventory, basing arrangements or detailed command structure.

The development should therefore be understood primarily as an announced organisational change rather than evidence that the full capability is already operational.

The 2027 timetable gives Germany time to establish the unit and develop the associated personnel, equipment and organisational arrangements.

How does the Westphalian Peace Prize relate to European history?

The Westphalian Peace Prize is awarded every two years by the Economic Society for Westphalia and Lippe.

The prize is connected to the Peace of Westphalia of 1648, agreements concluded in Münster and Osnabrück that brought the Thirty Years’ War to an end.

The WWL says the historical settlement is regarded as an important contribution to the European order based on states with equal rights.

For the 2026 award, NATO was selected as the main recipient, while socioMovens received the associated youth prize. The WWL said the total prize was worth €100,000.

The choice of NATO comes against a markedly different European security environment from that surrounding the historical Peace of Westphalia.

The 2026 ceremony therefore provided a setting in which questions about peace, military capability, alliance cooperation and European security were discussed together.

What is the wider background to Germany’s defence policy shift?

Germany’s defence policy has undergone substantial discussion since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The war has placed greater attention on ammunition supplies, air defence, drones, electronic warfare and the ability of European armed forces to sustain high-intensity military operations.

For Germany, the conflict has also prompted debate over the readiness and modernisation of the Bundeswehr and the country’s role within NATO.

The planned drone regiment fits into this wider military adaptation. The announcement by Pistorius follows earlier statements by German military leaders about expanding unmanned capabilities.

The focus on drones is also connected to the changing economics of warfare. Unmanned systems can provide surveillance and strike capabilities while changing how military forces organise reconnaissance, targeting and battlefield operations.

Germany’s decision to establish a dedicated unit indicates that unmanned systems are being treated as an enduring part of military planning rather than solely as an emergency response to the war in Ukraine.

At the same time, the political component remains central. Merz’s remarks show that the German government continues to connect military assistance to Ukraine with its assessment of European security and NATO’s role.

What could this development mean for Germany and European security?

The immediate effect of the announcements is likely to be greater attention to Germany’s military modernisation and its continued role in supporting Ukraine.

The planned drone regiment is scheduled for 2027, so its practical impact will depend on how the Bundeswehr recruits personnel, acquires systems and integrates the new unit into existing military structures.

For Germany’s armed forces, the development could provide a dedicated organisational framework for lessons learned from drone warfare in Ukraine.

For NATO, greater German unmanned-systems capability could form part of the alliance’s broader efforts to strengthen European defence capabilities.

For Ukraine, Merz’s remarks indicate that the German government intends to maintain its current policy of supporting Kyiv rather than reducing assistance as a means of changing the course of the conflict.

For German domestic politics, the issue remains contested. The government and the AfD have publicly different positions regarding military assistance, sanctions and relations with Russia.

The longer-term consequences will therefore depend on developments in the war, Germany’s domestic political debate, NATO’s defence planning and the implementation of the Bundeswehr’s announced drone structure.

Background: Germany, NATO and the Ukraine War

Germany has been one of the European states closely involved in the Western response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. NATO has simultaneously strengthened its focus on deterrence, defence readiness and allied military cooperation.

The 2026 Westphalian Peace Prize ceremony brought these issues together in Münster, where NATO received the award from the Economic Society for Westphalia and Lippe. The official organiser said the award recognised NATO’s contribution to reliability, partnership and peace through stability.

Germany’s planned drone regiment adds a military capability dimension to this political debate. The unit is not due to be established until 2027, meaning its effectiveness and operational role cannot yet be assessed from current performance.

Prediction: How could these developments affect European security audiences?

For European security policymakers, defence planners and businesses involved in military technology, the developments point towards continued attention to unmanned systems, alliance coordination and defence preparedness.

The establishment of a dedicated German drone regiment could increase demand for personnel, training, systems and supporting technologies associated with unmanned military operations. The extent of any commercial or industrial effect will depend on future procurement decisions.

For European governments and NATO members, Merz’s remarks indicate that Germany intends to continue treating the war in Ukraine as a wider European security issue. The practical direction of that policy will depend on future military developments, diplomatic negotiations and decisions by Germany and its allies.

The information currently available establishes the announced policy direction and planned 2027 drone formation, but does not provide enough evidence to determine the eventual operational impact of the new regiment or the longer-term outcome of the Ukraine conflict.