Zelenskyy before meeting Merz: We count on Germany to boost Ukraine’s long-range capabilities

“I think it’s crucial to hear your honest stance on geopolitics and NATO. We strongly count on strengthening Ukraine’s long-range capabilities,” Zelenskyy said.

The president thanked Germany for its support since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. He also highlighted the establishment of the Ministry of National Unity, which, together with the Foreign Ministry, will focus on assisting Ukrainians.

“This ministry will particularly support our people residing primarily in Poland, Germany, Czechia, and other countries. But today, most are in Germany,” he emphasized.

Zelenskyy expressed hope that Germany would create “appropriate departments to assist Ukrainians.”

Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), arrived in Kyiv on Dec. 9. Merz is the conservative bloc CDU/CSU’s candidate for chancellor and is leading significantly in polls ahead of Germany’s snap Bundestag elections in February 2025.

Debate over Taurus missiles for Ukraine

Following the U.S. decision to allow Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles against military targets in Russia, discussions in Germany about providing long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine have intensified.

On Nov. 16, Christian Dürr, leader of Germany’s Free Democratic Party (FDP), stated that the issue of supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine might be put to a Bundestag vote.

Two days later, Robert Habeck, Germany’s Economy Minister and Green Party candidate for chancellor, pledged to provide Taurus missiles to Ukraine if he were elected to replace current Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

However, German government deputy spokesperson Wolfgang Büchner clarified the same day that Scholz’s position on not supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine remained unchanged, even after the U.S. decision to allow Kyiv to conduct long-range strikes with ATACMS.

A poll by Infratest dimap for ARD showed that most Germans oppose sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine.