Expert Explains How German Support for Ukraine May Change Under Merz
Germany elected a new chancellor, Friedrich Merz. Prior to taking office, he stated that Berlin would help Kyiv defend itself against the aggressor and at the same time strengthen its own defence capabilities. Germany's aid strategy for Ukraine may change after Merz comes to power, said Stefan Melle, director of the Dialogue Office for Civil Society Cooperation with Eastern and Southeastern Europe.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to a broadcast on the FREEDOM TV channel.
‘The election of Friedrich Merz as Chancellor is good for Germany. As soon as the new government looks weak and unconvincing, it plays into the hands of the far right. And the situation with the failed first round of voting was a big risk for German society and the EU as well. It was also a risk within the framework of united support for Ukraine. That is why it was very important that the Bundestag promptly approved the new chancellor,’ the speaker said.
According to him, ensuring the security of Europe and the EU's independence from the United States are Friedrich Merz's priorities.
‘It is very important that Merz is able to do what he said in the election campaign. Now he looks a bit indecisive in his actions. This cloud of doubt needs to be removed so that Germans can see that the politician is capable. Strengthening the defence, investing in infrastructure and modernising the country is what they expect from him,’ Melle said.
Before Olaf Scholz was Chancellor of Germany, Merz spoke quite positively about Ukraine. He supported all the initiatives publicly voiced by Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, according to the speaker, the vector of Germany's assistance to Ukraine will partially change with Merz's coming to power.
‘Merz's coalition partner is a social democrat. This is a deeply expanded party with many MPs. And they would not want to be heavily involved in the war and enter into any conflicts that they do not consider their own. But at the same time, Merz has publicly committed himself to further support for Ukraine. He wants to change the policy on TAURUS cruise missiles for Ukraine. I assume that Ukraine will eventually receive some of them,’ Melle said.
Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine has been asking Germany for long-range TAURUS guided missiles. However, the issue of their transfer has not yet been resolved in Berlin.
As The Gaze reported earlier, newly sworn-in German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has reaffirmed Germany's steadfast commitment to Ukraine, placing support for Kyiv at the heart of his foreign policy agenda.