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Photo: Getty Images
Friedrich Mertz arrived on a visit to Ukraine
Mertz intends to discuss with the Ukrainian leader the further strategy of actions, in particular the possibility of supplying Taurus missiles.
CDU's candidate for German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, arrived in Kyiv to confirm his party's support for Ukraine. He stressed that only a strong Ukraine is capable of forcing Putin to sit down at the negotiating table, and emphasized the importance of international aid to end the war. This was reported by Bild on Monday, December 9.
The program of the visit includes a meeting with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi. Mertz arrived by train from Poland, and his visit was kept secret until he arrived in the Ukrainian capital for security reasons.
"I came to Kyiv to assure the Ukrainian government and people of Ukraine that the CDU/CSU parliamentary faction firmly supports them. We want this terrible war to end as soon as possible and peace in Europe restored. Only a strong Ukraine will be able to force Putin to start negotiations. If our support for Ukraine weakens, the war will last longer," said Mertz.
Mertz's visit took place a week after the unexpected trip to Kyiv by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who also met with Zelenskyi.
The Ukrainian army is now facing difficulties, especially in the east of the country, where Russian troops continue to advance. In this regard, Ukraine is counting on the strengthening of international military support.
He announced the provision of a new package of military support to Ukraine in the amount of 650 million euros.
