Newsletters
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced Wednesday that Berlin will provide long-range missile systems to Ukraine but refused to disclose specific details about the weapons or delivery schedule, citing a new strategy of strategic ambiguity aimed at Moscow.
Speaking at a joint news conference with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Berlin, Merz said Germany has been working for months with Ukrainian officials on what he described as "long-range fire" capabilities. The announcement marks a shift in Germany's public messaging on military support, though Merz emphasized that Berlin will no longer discuss operational details openly.
When pressed about Germany's previous hesitance to deliver Taurus long-range cruise missiles—a system Ukraine has repeatedly requested—Merz deflected, explaining that keeping Russia uncertain about Western military aid serves as a tactical advantage.
"We have agreed that we will no longer discuss details publicly, because we believe that a certain degree of ambiguity is necessary, especially for the Russian side, regarding the extent of our military support in this area," he said.
Merz added that Germany would continue efforts to equip Ukrainian forces with appropriate-range weapon systems in coming weeks and months, potentially extending to helping Ukraine produce such systems domestically.
The chancellor accused Russia of conducting a "terrorist war against the civilian population" by deliberately targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure ahead of winter. In response, he pledged an additional €3 billion ($3.5 billion) in German military support for 2026, with a focus on strengthening Ukrainian air defenses.
Merz also voiced optimism that European Union leaders would reach consensus next month on leveraging frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's defense. He characterized this financial pressure as "our strongest leverage to bring Moscow to the negotiating table and to end this terrible war in the long term."
Addressing reports of quiet diplomatic activity by the Trump administration on a potential peace plan, Merz said German officials maintain daily contact with their American counterparts but offered a cautious assessment of prospects.
"We are in close, daily contact with the US administration, including our advisors, to determine whether we can possibly come up with a plan," he said. "But it is not foreseeable at the moment whether this will lead to a result in the short term."
1 min read
3 min read
