Ukraine-Germany Cooperation Reaching New Level, Political Scientist Says

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is demonstrating a high pace and determination in matters of support for Ukraine. In particular, with regard to the supply of long-range weapons. Cooperation between the two countries is reaching a qualitatively new level, according to political scientist Volodymyr Fesenko.

The Gaze reports on this with reference to FREEDOM TV channel.

‘We are seeing a strengthening and intensification of partnership cooperation between Ukraine and Germany. I would say that this cooperation is rising to a qualitatively new level. And this is happening in the first weeks of Friedrich Merz's tenure as chancellor,’ the political scientist emphasised.

Fesenko recalled that one of Merz's first foreign visits was to Kyiv, where a meeting of the leaders of the ‘coalition of the willing’ took place on 10 May.

"It was at this meeting that we saw the leadership of the “coalition of the willing” expand. While French President Macron and British Prime Minister Starmer were the leaders at the beginning of its creation, Merz has now undoubtedly become the third leader of the coalition. Tusk, the Prime Minister of Poland, is also present there. But unfortunately, Poland's influence is now significantly smaller. This is partly due to the vicissitudes of the election campaign in the country," said the political scientist.

The new German chancellor is ready to take more decisive steps than his predecessor, Fesenko believes.

‘Merz is demonstrating a very high pace. And most importantly, it's not just pace, activity, and determination. He is really ready to go much further than Scholz. In particular, on the issue of supplying long-range weapons to Ukraine. As I understand it, negotiations on this are beginning,’ said the speaker.

At the same time, the political scientist drew attention to the fact that Germany has a coalition government. And there are different views on arms supplies to Ukraine.

"The Social Democrats, Olaf Scholz's party, are more cautious on this issue. Therefore, this issue still needs to be agreed within the coalition. But Merz is ready to help us in the creation of long-range weapons and long-range missiles by Ukraine itself. And such partnership projects, which will be implemented with the help of German investments and, possibly, with the help of technological support, are also very important," Fesenko emphasised.

In his opinion, the agreement on a €5 billion military aid package from Germany to Ukraine is also a very important step.

"In previous years, Germany was the second largest provider of both military and economic aid to Ukraine. The United States was, of course, in first place. Now, since, unfortunately, under Trump, direct aid from the United States has practically ceased, both economic and military, Germany is becoming the leader in this regard. Of course, overall, our main partner in this regard is the European Union. But in terms of individual countries, Germany is the leader," Fesenko emphasised.

This country has technological and economic potential. And it is in the interests of Germany, as well as the whole of Europe, to help Ukraine withstand Russian aggression. In this case, both sides understand this perfectly well, because it is not only about Ukrainian security, but also about European security, the political scientist added.

"What we are seeing now is, first of all, a continuation of the strategic partnership between Germany and Ukraine. And, of course, the beginning of active cooperation between the two leaders of the countries. Personal relationships between leaders are always of great importance in politics. As we saw in the example of President Zelenskyy's relationship with French President Macron. I think that now the same good, active partnership is being established with the new German chancellor," the guest concluded.

As The Gaze reported earlier, during President Zelenskyy's visit to Berlin on 28 May, Germany pledged stronger support for Ukraine's air defence and long-range weapons development. Agreements also include drone production, energy cooperation, and increased pressure on Russia, The Gaze reports.