Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denounced what he called "militaristic rhetoric" from Merz, who has repeatedly voiced contrition for Germany's Nazi crimes and has pointed to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in seeking greater defense.

"The chancellor stated proudly that his goal is once again to make Germany the main military engine of Europe," Lavrov told a news conference at the United Nations.

"When a person from a country that perpetrated the crimes of Nazism, fascism, the Holocaust and genocide says that Germany needs to become a great military power, he of course has an atrophied historical memory, and that is exceedingly dangerous," Lavrov said.

Germany, which once spearheaded cooperation with Russia including on energy, shifted sharply after Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and has become one of Kyiv's leading supporters.

Several NATO allies have spotted Russian fighter jets or drones in recent weeks, followed by suspicious drone flights over German military and industrial sites and near airports in Denmark and Norway.

Merz has called for Europe to step up its own defense spending due to concerns that the United States under President Donald Trump is distancing itself from its historic commitments to the alliance.