Ukraine war: Merz calls for a European contact group to support Ukraine

In view of the upcoming change of power in the USA, Union Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz is proposing the formation of a European contact group to coordinate support for Ukraine. “We must do everything to enable Ukraine to exercise its right to self-defense, without restrictions. And do everything to end this war as quickly as possible,” said the CDU leader at a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky in the capital Kiev.

We must therefore be prepared for the change of power in the USA to President Donald Trump on January 20th and think through all eventualities, demanded the Union faction leader in the Bundestag. On the European side, Merz believes Germany, France, Great Britain and Poland should jointly develop a strategy to further support Ukraine. He welcomed Zelensky’s suggestion that Denmark could also play an important role.

The plans for a contact group are also likely to play a role at a meeting between Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk this Tuesday in the capital Warsaw.

Merz: Attitude towards Taurus unchanged

Regarding Zelensky’s renewed demand for delivery of the long-range German Taurus cruise missile, Merz said at a meeting with Zelensky that he “knows our position on the Taurus. Nothing has changed in that regard.”

In the ZDF “heute journal” Merz emphasized that the Taurus system could make a contribution to combating Russian military targets near the border. However, it is completely clear that “Germany must not become a party to the war, even indirectly.” Therefore, before a Taurus delivery, Ukrainian soldiers must undergo training, which lasts at least four to five months, so that Ukraine is able to enter the appropriate target data, he said in the pre-recorded interview.

“Germany must not become a party to the war”

Germany and German soldiers should not do that, emphasized Merz. “That would bring us to the brink of participating in the war” – and he wanted to rule that out for himself personally and also for the Union faction. “Germany must not become a war party and will not become a war party, at least not under my leadership,” said the candidate for chancellor.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) once again rejected a Taurus delivery during his visit to Kiev a week ago because he fears that Germany could be drawn into the war.

Merz demands continued, consistent support for Ukraine

In a pre-recorded interview on ARD’s “Tagesthemen”, Merz said that Ukraine had so far adhered to all range limits that had been imposed on it. “And if we did that with Taurus, I am firmly convinced that Ukraine would also comply with it.”

So far, the following applies above all to Germany: “We are currently letting Ukraine fight with one arm tied behind its back.” Merz again called for the range limits for the weapons already supplied by Germany to be lifted.

A swipe at the conditions in Germany

“On time to the minute, the Ukrainian railways,” said Merz to the television cameras upon his arrival. In addition, he was traveling with perfect WiFi. This should be understood as a dig at the punctuality of the railways in Germany and the network coverage there.

Ukraine wants security guarantees from NATO and Europe

At the meeting with Merz, Zelensky emphasized that his country needed security guarantees not only from NATO, but also from European countries, in view of possible negotiations to end the war. He admitted that his country could not currently be a NATO member, but again called for an official invitation to the alliance.

After a meeting with Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris at the weekend, Zelensky announced that he would soon speak to US President Joe Biden, who is still in office, about NATO membership. “Because he is the current President of the USA – and of course a lot depends on his opinion.” He added: “Discussing this with Trump now, before he has taken his position in the White House, doesn’t make much sense.”

There are concerns in Ukraine and the EU about the extent to which Trump will continue military aid to Ukraine after he takes office on January 20th. The Europeans would hardly be able to fill the gap.

Merz finds out about damage to infrastructure

In light of ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure, Merz found out about the problems in supplying people with electricity and heat. In the Kiev region he was shown a power plant that had been damaged in a Russian missile attack in the spring. He was accompanied by Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko.

Honoring fallen soldiers – meeting with internally displaced people

Merz began his solidarity visit to Kiev by honoring the soldiers who died in the fight to defend themselves against the Russian attack. In the afternoon, Merz also met Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefantschuk as well as Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal and Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko. During a project run by the UN refugee agency UNHCR, he found out about the fate of internally displaced people.