For many months, we have worked closely with the Ukrainian government to implement projects related to long-range attack capabilities. The Ukrainian army will be equipped with such systems, Prime Minister Friedrich Merz said at a joint press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Berlin.
When asked about Germany's previous hesitation in transferring the Taurus long-range cruise missile, Mr. Merz declined to comment and did not disclose the handover date or list of weapons.
The German leader affirmed that this approach is aimed at putting more pressure on Russia.
I can only confirm that we are doing everything possible to equip the Ukrainian army with weapons systems with appropriate range. This will continue in the coming weeks and months, if necessary, including the production of such weapons systems in Ukraine, Merz added.
Observers say the secretion of the type, quantity and handover date shows Berlin is becoming more cautious in supporting Ukraine because it does not want to escalate direct tensions with Russia.
Mr. Merz also expressed hope that the European Union (EU) will reach an agreement next month on the use of frozen Russian assets to provide financial support to Ukraine. This is our strongest lever to bring Moscow back to the negotiation table and end this brutal war in the long term, he stressed.
When asked about the information that the US administration of President Donald Trump is quietly developing a peace plan with Russia to end the Ukrainian conflict, Mr. Merz did not give details but said he does not expect significant progress.
We keep in touch with the US government, including the advisers, every day to see if we can develop a plan. But it is not yet seen whether this will bring short-term results, Merz said.
