German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday denounced the "utter barbarity" of Russia under President Vladimir Putin in a speech a day ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
"This country, under this leadership, is currently at the lowest point of utter barbarity, and no one should have any doubt about what kind of regime and barbarity we are dealing with out of Russia these days," Merz said in Berlin.
February 24 will mark four years since Russia's assault in 2022, sparking a conflict that has shattered towns, uprooted millions and caused hundreds of thousands of casualties.
Moscow occupies close to a fifth of Ukrainian territory and continues to grind forward, especially in the eastern Donbas region, despite heavy losses and repeated Ukrainian strikes on logistics.
Accusing Russia of "psychological warfare", Merz called on European countries to support Ukraine and resist the impression that Russia was winning.
"It is important to emphasise that Russia is not about to win this war," he said. "Russia wants us to believe this, but the facts are different."
"I urge our European partners: do not waver in your support, in our shared support for Ukraine. We stand at a crossroads that could decide the fate of our entire continent."