Friedrich Merz, candidate of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) for chancellor of Germany, said in an interview with the newspaper “Stern“ that he is ready to have a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin to resolve the situation in Ukraine if he is elected chancellor. Merz specifies that such a conversation will take place, “if there is a basis for it and an agreement is reached between the European and transatlantic partners“, quoted by BTA.
Merz emphasized that in the event of Russia's refusal to cease hostilities within 24 hours, Germany will deliver long-range “Taurus“ missiles to Ukraine and will lift restrictions on their use against targets on Russian territory. "Our line should be that Germany should do everything possible to ensure that Ukraine is able to defend itself successfully," he said.
The politician has already made similar statements, calling for a "hard line against Russia" and criticizing current Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whom he accuses of insufficient support for Ukraine.
For months, Ukraine has been using Western weapons to strike deep into Russian territory, Ukrainian and Russian sources note. According to Sky News, for example, British Challenger 2 tanks were used in an attack in the Kursk region, and the Russian Defense Ministry reported strikes on Crimea with British Storm Shadow missiles. In response to these actions, Russian President Vladimir Putin called them "close to aggression."
Chancellor Scholz, despite pressure in the Bundestag, has repeatedly refused to hand over the "Taurus" to Kiev. According to Bild, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a request for deep strikes on Russia with these missiles during a meeting with Scholz in October, but it went unanswered.
In the context of growing political tension, in September the CDU nominated Friedrich Merz as its candidate for chancellor, and a few days ago Chancellor Scholz announced an upcoming vote of confidence in his government, planned for January, with the possibility of early elections in March.