German Chancellor Merz says Russia, Iran and North Korea are attacking the postwar order, pledges €500bn defense modernization

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned Monday that Russia and its allies, including Iran and North Korea, are attacking not only Ukraine but what he described as the core achievements of the post-World War II order.

“Russia and its allies from North Korea to Iran are attacking not only Ukraine but even more aggressively the most precious accomplishments of the post-World War II era,” Merz said.

He listed “our fundamental values of human rights, our democracy, our liberty, and the rule of law” as being under threat.

Merz said Germany was responding with what he called the biggest modernization drive in its recent history.

“We will commit over €500 billion by the end of the decade to strengthen our defensive capacities and modernize our military infrastructure,” he said.

At the same Berlin event, Merz also said Germany wants to become one of the world’s most advanced locations for artificial intelligence and urged Nvidia to invest further in the country.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said companies in the future would increasingly operate both physical and digital factories, with AI and digital twins becoming central to industrial production.