The situation surrounding diplomatic contacts between Germany and Spain has taken on particular significance for Spanish citizens, as alignment between these two countries affects not only defense policy but also the stability of European alliances. Following a recent meeting between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and U.S. President Donald Trump, where military spending was discussed, relations between Berlin and Madrid have noticeably cooled. The Spanish government has come under scrutiny due to Germany’s unexpected support for U.S. demands to increase defense spending, which puzzled officials in Madrid and cast doubt on the future cooperation between the two countries.
According to Der Spiegel, after returning from Washington, Friedrich Merz made several attempts to contact Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The publication reports that the chancellor called Sánchez twice, most recently on March 6, and also sent him two text messages. However, none of these attempts received a response from the Spanish leader. The Spanish government explained the lack of reaction by suggesting that Merz may have used an outdated phone number, as Sánchez frequently changes his contacts for security reasons. In Berlin, however, officials believe that the Spanish prime minister is deliberately avoiding dialogue after the events at the White House.
Defense disputes
The issue of increasing military spending has become a stumbling block between the two countries. During the meeting, Donald Trump sharply criticized Spain for refusing to raise its defense budget to 5% of GDP, and Merz supported this stance, stating the need to meet new standards. The chancellor’s statement triggered a negative reaction in Madrid, where it was seen as pressure and a breach of partnership principles. Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, publicly expressed surprise at Germany’s position, emphasizing that such statements could complicate dialogue within the European Union.
German analysts note that Merz could have exercised greater caution in his assessments to avoid exposing European partners to criticism from the United States. In Spain, there are concerns that such actions could weaken the country’s position on the international stage and heighten tensions with key allies. According to russpain.com, further developments will depend on whether the parties can find a compromise on defense policy issues and restore trust.
Political background
Amid escalating tensions with the US, Pedro Sánchez has already held talks with several European leaders, but continues to avoid contact with Merz. In Berlin, this is viewed as a sign of dissatisfaction and an unwillingness to address controversial issues directly. Madrid, on the other hand, believes Germany should consider the interests of its partners rather than just following Washington’s lead. According to Der Spiegel, tensions between the two countries persist, and efforts to establish dialogue have yielded no results so far.
Concern is growing in Spanish society that disagreements between Berlin and Madrid could weaken Spain’s position in NATO and the European Union. Experts are discussing whether German support for US demands is justified and how it may affect the future of European defense policy. The article on the Spanish government’s response to Germany’s position provides a detailed analysis of the risks to EU unity and potential consequences for regional countries.
Context and consequences
According to Der Spiegel, after the incident at the White House, Pedro Sánchez chose to focus on strengthening ties with other European capitals, abandoning attempts to engage in dialogue with Berlin. At the same time, German media emphasize that this standoff could drag on unless both sides show flexibility and look for common ground. The Spanish government does not rule out that further escalation may lead to a review of several joint security and defense initiatives.
In recent years, Europe has already faced similar diplomatic challenges. For example, in 2024, disagreements between France and Italy over migration policy led to a temporary cooling of relations and a review of several agreements. A similar situation occurred between Poland and Germany during discussions on energy security. These examples show that even close allies can have serious disagreements capable of affecting strategic decisions and shifting the balance of power in the region.
