By Sarah Marsh and Matthias Williams BERLIN (Reuters) -German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday said Europe was prepared to fight if necessary for its core values of freedom and democracy, in an explicit riposte to the Trump administration's repeated criticisms of the European Union.

The two leaders are expected to discuss Germany's military assistance and ceasefire efforts, a German government spokesperson said.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz for the first time publicly advocated spending up to 5% of the German economy on defense.

Post-WWII Germany has long been wary of state power and unfettered spending − and that may stymie new chancellor’s plans.

The chancellor is trying to create an alibi for a crime against humanity that he has supported more unconditionally than almost any other German politician for a year and a half—without changing his policies in the slightest.

Everything suggests that the military conflict on the Ukraine sees the new Chancellor Friedrich Merz as a historic chance to return Germany to a full-fledged military role in Europe. This was stated by Senator Alexei Pushkov.

Germany’s new ruling coalition agreed to push ahead with measures aimed at stimulating the struggling economy and to enact as much legislation as possible before leaving for summer break in mid-July.

Speculation is rising after Ukrainian President Zelensky met German Chancellor Merz to discuss acquiring German-made Taurus missiles—highly lethal, long-range weapons capable of striking deep into Russia.