Contents tagged with Merz
-
Merz urges Putin to hold Ukraine talks without preconditions
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to take seriously U.S. President Donald Trump’s offer to launch negotiations on Ukraine, his office said in an official statement.
“Russia today has an opportunity to agree to a ceasefire and halt military action,” the statement said.
Merz said the central goal of Friday’s meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska on August 15 is a summit that will also include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“We expect …
-
Zelensky heads to Berlin for video talks with Trump as Merz cuts short vacation ahead of Trump-Putin meeting
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is heading to Berlin on an unannounced visit. He will sit alongside Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery, taking part in a videoconference with U.S. President Donald Trump. Bild reports that Merz cut short his vacation for the meeting.
The aim of the sudden summit in Berlin is to prepare for the August 15 meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump in Alaska. Chancellor Merz will coordinate with several heads of state and government on potential …
-
Germany ramps up efforts to strengthen Ukraine's air defense amid Russian attacks
In response to ongoing, large-scale Russian airstrikes on Ukraine, Germany is intensifying its efforts to bolster Ukraine's air defense systems. On Wednesday, July 9, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in the Bundestag that he is optimistic about collaborating with the United States in this effort. Merz emphasized his intention to negotiate "arrangements" with the U.S. administration to provide Ukraine with additional air defense systems.
"Our aid to Ukraine won't falter due to financial …
-
German Chancellor Merz rejects dialogue with Putin, citing ineffectiveness in resolving Ukraine conflict
Germany’s Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has stated he’s not planning to reach out to Russian President Vladimir Putin anytime soon, marking a shift from previous leadership approaches. Merz believes direct talks with Putin hold little promise and aims not to repeat his predecessor's missteps. According to DW, past interactions with Putin have failed to ease tensions surrounding the Ukraine conflict.
In an interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung, Merz pointed to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's …
-
Germany considers funding Ukraine's cruise missile development
The German government is reportedly considering financial support for Ukraine's development and mass production of cruise missiles with a range of up to 2,500 kilometers, reports German media outlet Bild, citing insider sources.
The publication reminds readers that Kyiv is already advancing its missile programs, having rolled out some production. At the same time, Ukrainian defense industries face relentless Russian air and missile attacks, prompting Germany to negotiate additional deliveries …
-
Germany, UK, France, and US remove weapon range restrictions for Ukraine
Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States have lifted the range restrictions on the weapons they supply to Ukraine, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on Monday, May 26. "There are no more range restrictions on weapons delivered to Ukraine from the British, French, or our side. There aren't any from the Americans either," Merz stated at a WDR-organized forum.
Chancellor Merz highlighted that this change allows Ukraine to strike military targets on Russian soil, …
-
Germany to classify future military aid to Ukraine
In a strategic pivot, Chancellor Friedrich Merz's German administration has decided to keep future military aid shipments to Ukraine classified, a move aimed at achieving "strategic ambiguity", reports Spiegel, citing sources within the Merz government.
According to these insider accounts, over the last three intense years of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Germany had openly disclosed the packages of military aid sent to bolster Ukraine’s Defense Forces. However, this transparency appears to be …
-
German Chancellor Merz pushes for ceasefire in landmark visit to Kyiv, warns Russia of consequences
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Kyiv for the first time today. He emphasized that the West, including the U.S., is prepared to respond strongly to any anti-peace decisions by the Kremlin, stating, "The ball is now in the court of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin."
Merz elaborated, "Should there be a refusal, significant strengthening of sanctions and extensive support for Ukraine — political, financial, and military — will follow."
This stance is reportedly supported by U.S. President …
-
Bild: Kremlin crafts strategy to influence Merz
Russia is reportedly developing a strategy to influence Germany's future chancellor, Friedrich Merz, aiming to steer him towards a more pro-Russian stance. As reported by Bild, the Kremlin plans to remind Merz of his pro-U.S. inclinations, questioning whether he truly wants to position himself between America and Russia.
A unique aspect of this strategy may involve Merz's American connections. Moscow believes a Republican administration could exert pressure on Germany through Merz’s long- …