Friedrich Merz.Photo: dpa
The leader of the opposition party Christian Democratic Union of Germany, Friedrich Merz, said he was ready to support the transfer of German long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, but only if Russia stops attacking civilian targets. This was reported by the liga news agency, citing Merz’s words on the n-tv channel.
Phased transfer of weapons
Merz noted that the process of transferring the missiles would not happen instantly, but would take place in several stages. At the first stage, the CDU leader called on Vladimir Putin to stop military actions against the civilian population of Ukraine. Only if the Kremlin ignores these demands will Berlin consider the possibility of transferring long-range missiles to Ukraine.
Diplomatic approach to conflict resolution
Merz stressed that his position on supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression remains unwavering. He is in favour of providing military assistance to Ukraine, while stressing the importance of diplomatic efforts. The politician believes that any negotiations with Russia should begin with a demand for an immediate halt to attacks on civilian targets, which is critical to protecting Ukrainian citizens.
Criticism of the current chancellor
It is worth noting that the current German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has repeatedly spoken out against the transfer of Taurus missiles to Ukraine. He argues that the use of these missiles requires the support of German military experts. Scholz has repeatedly responded with humour to questions about the possible transfer of weapons, which has drawn criticism from the opposition.
Friedrich Merz, as one of the main contenders for the post of chancellor, has demonstrated his readiness to support Ukraine in its struggle for sovereignty. His call for diplomacy and clear indication of the need to stop attacks on civilian targets indicate a desire for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Whether the Kremlin will respond to these demands remains to be seen, but Merz’s stance reflects the growing support for Ukraine among Western politicians.
