German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky address a joint press conference at the Chancellery in Berlin. Pic/AFP
Germany is the second-largest provider of military aid to Ukraine, after the United States. Since taking office three weeks ago, Chancellor Friedrich Merz has actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to push for a ceasefire and maintain strong Western support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, European leaders have criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for stalling progress in peace talks led by the United States
On Monday, Chancellor Merz announced that Germany and its key allies have lifted range restrictions on the weapons they provide to Ukraine, allowing the country greater flexibility in its efforts to push back against Russia’s full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022
Chancellor Merz’s government has not yet confirmed whether it will send Taurus long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine — a move his predecessor Olaf Scholz had declined, though Merz supported it while in opposition. Unlike Scholz’s administration, Merz’s government has decided not to disclose full details of the military aid being provided, citing the importance of maintaining “strategic ambiguity”
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine is boosting its domestic production of drones and missiles. He also stated on Tuesday that Ukraine seeks support from European countries to invest in producing attack drones, air defense interceptors, cruise missiles, and ballistic systems
Zelenskyy also stated that Ukraine requires an additional 30 billion dollars in funding to keep up with Russia's drone and missile production, noting that Russia aims to produce 300-350 drones daily to sustain its efforts in the war
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