Berlin, May 28 (EFE).— German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced Wednesday, alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a new plan to facilitate Ukraine’s access to long-range weapons.
The chancellor said the move was a direct response to the Kremlin’s refusal to engage in meaningful dialogue, stressing the need to ramp up international pressure on Russia.
After months of speculation over whether Merz would fulfill his campaign promise to supply Taurus long-range missiles to Kyiv, he opted for an alternative approach.
While avoiding specifics, Merz said Ukraine would still receive long-range strike capabilities.
“Assume that Russia’s refusal to engage in talks or agree to a ceasefire will now have real consequences,” Merz said at a press conference during Zelenskyy’s first official visit to Berlin since Merz took office.
No Taurus, but a pact
Instead of delivering the German-made Taurus missiles that Kyiv had long requested, Merz gave way to the beginning of a new form of military and industrial cooperation between the two allies.
This will be formalized in a declaration of intent to be signed by their respective defense ministers.
The agreement will cover the “acquisition of long-range weapons systems manufactured in Ukraine,” Merz said, adding that there will be “no range restrictions,” allowing Ukraine to strike military targets beyond its borders.
In a parallel statement, the German Ministry of Defense said the memorandum will enable the production of a “significant quantity” of long-range weapons this year, with the first systems expected to be operational within weeks, without the need for additional training for Ukrainian troops.
Zelenskyy did not refer to specific weapons systems but noted that the agreement involves funding for existing projects to reach the necessary “quantities.”
He also mentioned the manufacture of drones and their role in protecting Ukrainian soldiers on the battlefield.
Russia dodges peace talks
Both leaders emphasized the need to increase pressure on the Kremlin, including through an 18th round of European sanctions, in light of Moscow’s unwillingness to engage in ongoing peace efforts initiated this month in Istanbul.
Merz said while Moscow has, in theory, agreed to continue talks, it is now stalling by failing to present its position on the for ending the conflict.
He emphasized that Ukraine and its allies have spared no effort to bring Russia to the negotiating table. “In the past three weeks, there have been more attempts than in the entire duration of the war,” he said, calling Russia’s recent missile strikes on Kyiv a “slap in the face.”
“We will increase pressure on Russia, not just to weaken its war machine, but also to bring it to the negotiating table,” Merz stated.
Zelenskyy accused Russia of repeatedly making “excuses” and using a “policy of procrastination,” rejecting all proposals under various pretexts. “Only pressure will bring results,” he said.
The Ukrainian president expressed frustration that Moscow had initially promised to send a document before a recent prisoner exchange, then again afterward.
But even after Ukraine’s defense minister followed up with the Russian negotiator, the document was never delivered.
A victory for Putin
Zelenskyy also warned that his potential absence from the NATO summit in The Hague at the end of June would be “a victory” for Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, not over Ukraine, but over the alliance itself.
He said he had received “signals” from allies about Ukraine’s participation but stressed the importance of clarifying the extent of Kyiv’s involvement.
The Ukrainian president may be excluded from the annual summit for the first time since the war began, reportedly due to a US veto.
“If I’m not invited, it would be a victory for Putin, not in the war against Ukraine, but over NATO,” Zelenskyy said. “But it’s up to our partners.”
The two leaders were scheduled to meet with representatives of German industry to discuss potential participation in Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction.
Zelenskyy concluded his visit by meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at his official residence. EFE
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