Russia’s Foreign Ministry has strongly criticised remarks made by German Chancellor-elect Friedrich Merz, accusing him of threatening global peace with his promise to supply the latest missiles to Ukraine if the UK supported him.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry, stated that Merz’s remarks could resurrect a “dark era” in history and pose a risk to world peace.
Merz, who is set to officially assume the role of Chancellor on May 6, made the controversial statement on Saturday, asserting that “Germany will again assume responsibility—in Europe and the world. Not loudly, but reliably. Not arrogantly, but in a partner-like manner.”
The Russian Foreign Ministry swiftly countered, questioning to which historical period Merz’s use of the word “again” referred. The remarks follow Merz’s claim that Germany could deliver Taurus missiles to Ukraine. The Taurus, a missile with a range of 500 km, is a weapon that Merz has pledged to provide Ukraine, despite previous reservations from his predecessor, Olaf Scholz.
Scholz had refrained from supplying the missiles to avoid further escalating the conflict with Russia. However, Merz’s idealistic stance on the conflict in Ukraine stands in stark contrast, even as there is no backing from Washington for such an escalation.
“Germany’s supply of Taurus missiles could intensify the conflict, with the potential to provoke direct Russian retaliation,” warned Sergey Nechaev, Russia’s Ambassador to Germany. Nechaev further stated that such a move would effectively mean Germany’s direct involvement in the war, leading Russia to target German forces operating missile launchers.
Throughout the ongoing conflict, Russia has condemned Western military aid to Ukraine, arguing that such support only serves to prolong the bloodshed without a path to peace.
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