It Is Not Just Merz ...

 ... it is the majority of German political class and vast numbers of population. SVR made a statement about it (in Russian) here, RT gave a gist of it:

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz harbors a “maniacal drive for revenge” against Russia based on Nazi-era grievances, according to the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) in Moscow. The chancellor’s stance – including his push for Ukraine to use German missiles against Russia – has reportedly caused concern in Berlin. Merz has pledged to supply long-range Taurus missiles to Kiev but has not commented publicly on the details. According to a press release from the SVR on Thursday, the chancellor’s anti-Russian stance is partly fueled by a personal family grievance tied to Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II. “Desire for revenge grew in him from childhood and morphed into an overwhelming passion after the launch of his political career,” the statement said, adding that Merz’s attitude is well known to his inner circle.

While Germany is an extreme case, it has to be remembered and I repeat it again: Europe is an existential enemy of Russia and Russian people, period. Some few manifestations of common sense or even Russophilia here and there are ABSOLUTELY not indicative of the overall attitude of not just political top but European people as a whole towards Russia and Russians. Considering the level of conformity and cowardice of Europeans the only thing which may (not guaranteed though) make them to revolt is the collapse of their welfare states--not moral or spiritual considerations. Europe learned absolutely nothing from two world wars and should be left alone to rot under the Damocles Sword of Russia's nuclear and conventional deterrent. For those who still believe fairy tales of Russia as part of European culture I remind you--8 years ago:

Today, those white segments are even smaller. Much-much smaller. Russia is NOT Europe, not THIS Europe anyway. 

Meanwhile:

WASHINGTON, Sept 4 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump told European leaders on Thursday that Europe must stop purchasing Russian oil that he said is helping Moscow fund its war against Ukraine, a White House official said. Trump joined a call of the "Coalition of the Willing" countries, led by French President Emmanuel Macron, who were meeting on security guarantees for Kyiv in the event of a peace deal with Russia.

This doesn't even require any additional elaborations))