Merz adapted to long war in Ukraine
If Chancellor Friedrich Merz This Wednesday receiving the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj in Berlin, a topic should be the focus of the discussions: arms deliveries to the Ukraine. The country is currently exposed to the beginning of another Russian offensive. Especially in the northeast of Ukraine, but also in the capital Kiev, there have been severe attacks in the past few days. With his explanation that weapons supplied by Germany, Merz himself has no restrictions on the range and thus the use against Russian territory. Will Germany deliver the desired Taurus marching aircraft from Ukraine? The rockets have a range of 500 kilometers, so they could reach Moscow themselves.
« Anyone who only fends off an attack on their own territory cannot defend themselves enough, » said Merz on Tuesday during a visit to Finland. The statement means a change of course compared to its predecessor Olaf Scholz ((SPD). Last year he had allowed German weapons to be used against positions on Russian territory alone for the region around the competitive city of Charkiw. Nevertheless, Merz ‘Schwenk will have no consequences in everyday life. This is also why there is criticism of Merz from his own party.
Criticism of debate on reach restrictions
« Unfortunately, Merz statement is very contradictory and in fact not relevant for Germany, » says the CDU foreign politician Roderich Kiesewetter of our editorial team. Because: Germany has so far not delivered far -reaching weapon systems. The rocket launcher Mars II has a range of 85 kilometers and the Panzerhaubitzen 2000 has a range of 35 kilometers. Kiesewetter demands that Federal government to draw real consequences. « The taurus could at least partially bring relief and thus protect the civilian population in Ukraine if the system is delivered in large numbers, » he says. « That is why it is now high time to finally train to Taurus and deliver the system. »
In the SPD, Merz opposes significant criticism of making an agreement on delivering Taurus marching aircraft. « I would ask the federal government to participate in the diplomatic efforts at the moment, » said former parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich. Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil also does not want to know about a change of course. Such debates are not helpful because Russia illustrates the weakness of Europe, warns Kiesewetter. « The massive escalation and the obvious intention to exterminate Russia remain without consequences, although Germany would have long had the opportunity to deliver a high -precision and far -reaching system with the training and delivery of Taurus of Ukraine, » he says.
Meanwhile, the Chancellor does not adapt to a quick end of the war. « If the Russian side is not even willing to accept a mediation of the Vatican, it shows us that Putin and Russia obviously have no interest in getting a break here, » said Merz. The story shows that wars often came to an end because of the exhaustion of the warring parties. « We are obviously far from that in this war, and that’s why I expect that we have to adjust for a long time. »
