20,000 people chose to be part of the Kyiv Independent community — thank you.

Skip to content
Edit post

German opposition leader Merz arrives in Kyiv

by Martin Fornusek December 9, 2024 10:02 AM 1 min read
Friedrich Merz (R), the head of the German opposition CDU party, arriving in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Dec. 9, 2024. (Friedrich Merz/X)
This audio is created with AI assistance

Friedrich Merz, a German chancellor candidate of the opposition conservative CDU/CSU alliance, arrived in Kyiv on Dec. 9, Deutsche Welle reported.

"The purpose of my visit is to learn about the current state of defense in the country," Merz said upon arrival.

"I am looking forward to a meeting with President (Volodymyr Zelensky) again."

Merz, who has criticized German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his supposedly hesitant approach in backing Ukraine, is leading the polls ahead of the snap elections in February.

The conservative politician has called for issuing an ultimatum for Russian President Vladimir Putin to cease his aggression. Otherwise, the West would lift all restrictions on long-range strikes, and Berlin would supply the Taurus missiles to Ukraine, Merz suggested.

Scholz has rejected providing Ukraine with the Taurus system cruise missiles with a range of 500 kilometers (310 miles) fearing it would draw Germany into war.

Berlin is Ukraine's second-largest military donor after the U.S., and its importance may yet grow as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump recently signaled Kyiv should brace for decreased American support.

With Scholz’s government in shambles, conservative rival touts more decisive Ukraine strategy
Editor’s note: The article was updated to reflect Friedrich Merz’s latest comments regarding the debt brake. For the second time in his life, Friedrich Merz is a step away from taking charge of Germany. Losing the fight to control the Christian Democratic Union in 2002 to future Chancellor Angela…

Independent journalism needs a community —
not a paywall.

We’re working hard to show the world the truth of Russia’s brutal war — and we’re keeping it free for everyone, because reliable information should be available to all.

More than 20,000 people chose to stand behind us. We’re deeply grateful and overwhelmed with your support. Thank you for making it possible.

Let´s see how far we can go?

News Feed

8:42 PM

Egyptian POW didn't need money, but went to fight for Russia.

Egyptian-born Russian fighter, callsign "Cobra," signed a contract with the Russian army in 2024, abandoning his young wife, university studies and comfortable lifestyle. Now in Ukrainian prison, he's rethinking his choices. Subscribe to our channel for more independent reporting from Ukraine.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.