So far, no country has managed to mediate successfully in the war between Russia and Ukraine. Germany will not be able to do that in the future either, believes CDU leader Merz. Instead of ending the war, he accuses the traffic light government of prolonging it by acting hesitantly.
The CDU chairman Friedrich Merz cannot imagine Germany playing the role of mediator in the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. "I'll say it separately from people: The Federal Republic of Germany has no mediating role in this conflict," said the opposition leader in the Bundestag. "We stand together with Europe on the side of Ukraine and are therefore not neutral in this conflict." Merz was asked if he could imagine that former Chancellor Angela Merkel, for example, could intervene to bring the war to an end.
The CDU leader accused the Ampel government of contributing to a prolongation of the war through its hesitant action in the delivery of heavy weapons. "It still applies that the Federal Republic of Germany could have done more earlier. The government should have quickly done what the German Bundestag decided on April 28, namely to deliver heavy equipment on a larger scale," said Merz.
Even at this point in time, not everything that is possible is being delivered. "In this respect, we are still not helping Ukraine to the extent necessary. And that is prolonging this brutal war, which is now becoming a grueling war of attrition with hundreds of victims every day." This will only be over when neither side can expect additional gains in territory. "Unfortunately, the war isn't at that point yet."
According to Merz, a prerequisite for new negotiations between Ukraine and Russia is that Ukraine is militarily so strong that Russia no longer seems able to gain additional ground. "Only when the war has reached the point where it is no longer worthwhile for Russia to continue it are talks conceivable."
When asked whether an effective fight against corruption in Ukraine was a condition for Western aid in later reconstruction, Merz replied: "It's basically impossible to discuss this question as long as this brutal war is still raging. First, the deaths of men, women, children be ended." But there was certainly a need for action here even before the war. It was not for nothing that corruption was also an issue in the talks between the EU and Kyiv about a possible association agreement. "It is absolutely clear that Ukraine can only become a member of the European Union if it meets all the rule of law requirements," stressed Merz.
