Speaking at a press conference, Friedrich Merz said he is discussing the issue with outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has opposed the package unless funded by additional government borrowing.
The victory of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) led by Friedrich Merz was met with relief in Ukraine. The conservative leader has long criticized the supposedly cautious Ukraine strategy of outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose government collapsed last November, triggering the snap vote. Merz's likely coalition with the Social
Germany’s center-right CDU/CSU is set to return to power, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) emerging as the second-largest party, according to preliminary results of the Feb. 23 parliamentary elections.
The phone call comes amid growing concerns in Kyiv and among European allies about Washington's shifting stance on the war.
"Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia's merciless war of aggression for almost three years... And it is simply wrong and dangerous to deny President Zelensky's democratic legitimacy," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on X.
German Chancellor Olaf Schlolz and his main challenger in the upcoming elections, Friedrich Merz, agreed during a television debate on Feb. 9 that Berlin must continue supporting Ukraine and that Russia's war must end.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reportedly stressed that Ukraine should first be helped to "get back on its feet" and that its resources should be used for its reconstruction after the war.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has urged Chancellor Olaf Scholz to avoid politicizing aid to Ukraine during Germany's election campaign, n-tv reported on Jan. 20.
Germany is not currently seen as a "driving force for peace policy in Europe," German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told Politico in comments published on Jan. 17, criticizing her own government for hesitancy in supporting Ukraine.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius denied media reports that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz blocked a proposal for an additional military aid package for Ukraine worth 3 billion euros ($3.09 billion), adding that a decision on the funding awaits.
The initiative reportedly included the provision weapons including three additional Iris-T air defense batteries, 10 howitzers, and more artillery ammunition.
Roderich Kiesewetter, defense spokesperson for Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), said earlier that "there are increasing indications that Chancellor Scholz will travel to Moscow and meet Putin before Feb. 23."
"There are increasing indications that Chancellor Scholz will travel to Moscow and meet Putin before February 23," Roderich Kiesewetter, defense spokesperson for Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), said on X.
In the interview, Rutte said that Scholz's contributions to Ukraine are commendable. The chancellor ensured that Germany ranks second after the U.S. in military support for Ukraine, something Kyiv could express its gratitude for, Rutte noted.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz failed a confidence vote in the Bundestag on Dec. 16, paving the way for early parliamentary elections scheduled for Feb. 23.
"We stand by Chancellor Olaf Scholz's decision not to deliver the Taurus cruise missile from the Bundeswehr's stocks," the SPD program reportedly reads, adding that weapons deliveries should come with "prudence and a sense of proportion."
"I will do it again. But we must not have any illusions about it," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, according to Zeit.
During his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Friedrich Merz, the leading contender to become Germany's next chancellor, condemned the German government's hesitance to provide long-range weaponry like Taurus cruise missiles.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed confidence in reaching an agreement with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on a joint strategy for Ukraine following their phone conversation.
Germany's conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz said on Dec. 4 that any speculations about deploying German troops to ensure a ceasefire are irresponsible at this time.
Key developments on Dec. 2: * Scholz arrives in Kyiv first time since June 2022, pledges $680 million in military support * 'We need to move faster,' Zelensky announces personnel changes in Ukrainian Armed Forces * Russia trained 300,000 reserve soldiers for war in Ukraine, Russian defense official claims * Some North
Separate talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin do not strengthen Ukraine and may lead to improving his standing, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Dec. 2 during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Ukraine's capital for the first time since June 2022, promising to announce the delivery of 650 million euros ($680 million) worth of arms to be supplied this December.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in Kyiv on Dec. 2 to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky and reaffirm his country's support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.
Donald Trump’s re-election has sent political shockwaves across the Atlantic, pushing Germany — Ukraine’s second-largest donor — into a decisive moment. The election has intensified internal divides and sparked a reckoning over Germany’s role in European security. For years, German leaders deferred tough decisions on Ukraine, relying on U.
"The chancellor is once again putting party interests above the interests of Germany's foreign and security policy," Florian Hahn, a member of the German opposition CDU/CSU bloc, said.
Polish President Andrzej Duda accused German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Nov. 18 of undermining U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s potential role in Ukraine peace negotiations to rebuild Germany’s ties with Russia.
Amid rising fears of U.S. aid being cut off under a second Donald Trump presidency, Ukrainians are left wondering whether Europe can rise to the challenge and fill the gap. Trump has promised to swiftly end Russia's war against Ukraine, speaking highly of Russian President Vladimir Putin and making
Polish President Andrzej Duda expressed doubts that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin was agreed with the allies.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has "made his position clear" on the matter and will "not change his position anymore," spokesperson Wolfgang Buchner told AFP.
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen urged Western leaders to refrain from making additional phone calls to Russian President Vladimir Putin following German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's recent call, Valtonen said on German TV on Nov. 17.
"We all understand how important it is to see an end to the violence in Ukraine, to see an end to conflicts around the world," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Bloomberg during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru, which took place between Nov. 15-16.
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