Merz calls for close Europe-U.S. coordination on allowing Ukraine strikes into Russia
Merz made these remarks during an interview with Welt journalist Paul Ronzheimer following his visit to Kyiv on December 9, Ukrinform reports.
"Perhaps there is no such Wunderwaffe [wonder weapon]. Perhaps there will be no weapon that would change the rules of the game,” the politician admitted.
From a strategic standpoint, however, Merz argued that coordinated efforts between Europe and the U.S. are necessary to enable the Ukrainian Armed Forces to target Russian military sites across the border. These sites, he noted, are used to launch attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. Merz pointed out that Germany remains the sole ally imposing restrictions on the use of long-range weapons.
"There must be a common European-American transatlantic response," he said.
When asked about supplying German Taurus missiles to Ukraine, Merz responded cautiously: "We need to see whether this system fits into the concept." He also noted that training Ukrainian forces to operate the Taurus missile system would require at least four months.
Merz expressed agreement with current Chancellor Olaf Scholz, his political rival, that Germany must avoid becoming a direct party to the conflict.
Addressing Vladimir Putin's objectives, Merz reiterated the belief held by many analysts that the Russian leader will only end the war when he either occupies all of Ukraine or recognizes the futility of further military efforts. At present, Merz stated, Putin has not reached either of these points and continues to escalate in response to diplomatic initiatives.
"Putin always responds to diplomatic efforts by further escalating the war," Merz said, adding that "this war has lasted for too long, and we may have helped [Ukraine] too late and provided too little."
Merz also commented on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Paris. He suggested that Trump appeared to be attempting to involve Ukraine and France in his strategic plans but regretted the absence of Germany, the United Kingdom, and Poland in these discussions.
"I got the impression that he [Trump] is not yet fully ready to act. [...] He seems determined to do something, but what exactly and by what means -- perhaps by threatening large-scale arms supplies to Ukraine if Putin does not stop -- remains completely open," Merz said.
He stressed that Ukraine must be directly involved in shaping any peace plans, rejecting the idea of a dictated resolution.
When asked what message he would deliver to Putin if elected Chancellor, Merz declared: "Do not underestimate our readiness to defend our freedom."
Merz and his party have been vocal in the Bundestag in advocating for the transfer of long-range missiles to Ukraine, initiating several votes on the issue, although these efforts have thus far been unsuccessful.
Merz paid a visit to Kyiv on December 9. On Tuesday, December 10, he is visiting Poland, where he plans to meet with Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Merz previously spoke in favor of creating a European mechanism to aid Ukraine, involving key nations such as Germany, Poland, France, and the United Kingdom.
Photo: agenzianova
