Friedrich Merz, the leader of the German opposition and candidate to become the German Chancellor of the parliamentary group of CDU/CSU (Union), arrived in Kyiv on a working trip on 9 December. During the trip, he said that Russian leader Vladimir Putin will only agree to negotiate with Ukraine when the latter will be able to defend itself.

Source : Friedrich Merz on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Quote : "The war in Ukraine has to end as soon as possible. Putin will only agree to negotiate when Ukraine is able to defend itself."

Details : Merz said that he came to Kyiv to find out what the situation in Ukraine was like and how Germany could further support the country.

Background:

• In October, Merz proposed to Chancellor Olaf Scholz that Germany, along with the UK and France, issue an ultimatum to Putin. "He must be told: if he does not stop bombing civilians in Ukraine within 24 hours, then Germany must send Taurus missiles to destroy the supply routes this regime is using to harm Ukraine’s civilian population."
• He later expressed a similar position in an interview with the Stern magazine.
• Recently, Scholz accused Merz of taking too many risks in supporting Ukraine, including the possible supply of long-range Taurus missiles.

Support UP or become our patron !