T-online reported.“What worries me — and I want to acknowledge this — is the fact that we as Europeans in the world are not currently playing the role we actually want to play. And the role we would have to play in order for our interests to be sufficiently protected,” Merz said.As an example, the German chancellor pointed to Russia’s war against Ukraine.“At present we cannot exert enough pressure on Putin to end this war,” he explained, adding that Europeans remain dependent on the U.S.The politician also stressed that Brazil, India, and China are now starting new partnerships with Russia.On September 5, media reported that a European team is heading to Washington to work with the Americans on a new package of sanctions against Russia.