Friedrich Merz, the head of Germany‘s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), suggested that first, long-range weapon restrictions be lifted, and then Taurus missiles could be provided to Ukraine in case Russian bombardments continued.
According to Tagesschau, the head of the German Christian Democratic Union party (CDU), Friedrich Merz, may become the next German chancellor, said that he was willing to deliver long-range Taurus Cruise Missiles to Ukraine, but only under certain circumstances.
The Taurus cruise weapon has a range of 500 km. This would allow Ukraine to strike deep in Russian territory at the military bases that are launching assaults on Ukrainian civilians. Due to fears about nuclear escalation, the German government and the United States prohibit Ukraine from using long-range weapons supplied by the west.
Merz, in a speech on Caren Miosga’s ARD program, suggested a process of two steps, Tagesschau reports.
“If the [Russian] bombings [on Ukraine] do not stop, the first step would be to lift the range restriction.” Merz said that the second step would be to deliver the Taurus.
He stressed that this decision should not be taken unilaterally by Germany, but at a European-level.
Merz continued, “Putin will decide how far he wants this war to escalate.”
This is in contrast to the firm opposition of Chancellor Olaf Scholz to supplying Taurus weapons to Ukraine.
Merz criticised the current coalition government’s approach to Ukraine, arguing it lacked strategic consideration and transparency. He argued that Europe should become more independent of the United States when it comes to supporting Ukraine, especially in light of possible changes in US leadership after the upcoming presidential elections.
Merz announced that he would push for higher defense spending in the run-up to the 2025 German federal elections. He warned that the special fund for Bundeswehr will be depleted by 2028 and that significant budget increases are required.
CDU leader justified his stance by pointing out Russia’s ongoing buildup of military forces, which he claims will pose a threat on NATO territory in five to eight years.
Merz warned that the West must not repeat its previous mistake in miscalculating Putin’s intentions towards Ukraine.
He said that underestimating Russia’s ambitions militarily a second time would have far more serious consequences.
Merz also called in July for the supply of fighter jets to Ukraine, to help it regain its air sovereignty amid increasing Russian missile attacks.
Annalena Bärbock, the German Foreign Minister, had earlier supported supplying Ukraine long-range missiles despite opposition by Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
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