As Germany prepares for a change in leadership, diplomatic tensions between Berlin and Moscow are once again reaching a boiling point. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has raised serious concerns over the rhetoric and proposed policies of Germany’s incoming chancellor, Friedrich Merz, suggesting that his stance could signal a return to one of Germany’s darkest historical chapters.

The controversy erupted on April 19 after Bild newspaper revealed excerpts from Merz’s upcoming Easter address. According to the report, Merz plans to declare that “Germany will again assume responsibility – in Europe and in the world. Not loudly, but reliably. Not arrogantly, but in a partner-like manner.” While such words may sound like a call for sober international leadership, in Moscow, the phrasing triggered alarm bells.

Zakharova responded on her Telegram channel with biting sarcasm, asking pointedly, “To which historical period does this ‘again’ refer?” The question, while rhetorical, was clearly designed to evoke uncomfortable memories of Germany’s militarized past, including the Nazi era and its catastrophic consequences for Europe and the world. The implication: is Merz preparing to revive a nationalist, interventionist posture under the guise of “responsibility”?

The commentary reflects broader Russian anxieties surrounding Germany’s growing involvement in the Ukraine conflict. Unlike his predecessor Olaf Scholz, who resisted Kyiv’s pleas for long-range weaponry, Merz has signaled a more aggressive stance. In an April 13 interview with ARD, Merz stated that under his........

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