Friedrich Merz Assures Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Germany’s Continued Support
Berlin, Germany – May 9, 2025 – Newly elected German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in its ongoing defense against Russian aggression. In a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on May 7, 2025, Merz assured that his government can be relied upon to provide military, financial, and diplomatic support, signaling a robust continuation of Germany’s role as Ukraine’s second-largest backer after the United States. This pledge comes amid uncertainties in U.S. support under the Trump administration and escalating tensions on the battlefield, particularly in Ukraine’s Pokrovsk and Kursk regions.
Context of Merz’s Assurance
Merz’s conversation with Zelenskiy, reported by X posts from @ALERTES_INFO and @Maks_NAFO_FELLA on May 7-9, 2025, followed his election as chancellor on May 6, 2025, after a second-round vote in the Bundestag. His CDU/CSU alliance, in coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD), secured a stable government after winning the February 23 federal election, ending the tenure of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who was criticized for hesitancy in aiding Ukraine. Merz’s assurance builds on multiple meetings with Zelenskiy, including in Kyiv (December 2024), Davos (January 2025), and Munich (February 2025), where he consistently advocated for stronger military aid, including the potential supply of Taurus long-range cruise missiles.
Key Points of the Assurance
- Military Support: Merz emphasized Germany’s commitment to enhancing Ukraine’s defense capabilities, specifically mentioning the possibility of supplying Taurus missiles, which have a 500-km range and could target Russian military infrastructure, such as the Kerch Bridge. In response to ZDF host Bettina Schausten’s question on May 7, 2025, Merz stated, “Zelensky knows he can rely on me and Germany,” signaling openness to reversing Scholz’s refusal to provide these weapons due to escalation fears. Germany has already provided €7.1 billion in military aid in 2024, including air defense systems like Patriot, per The Tribune.
- Financial and Humanitarian Aid: Merz acknowledged Germany’s €37 billion in total support since Russia’s 2022 invasion, covering financial aid for Ukraine’s army and humanitarian assistance for over 1 million Ukrainian refugees hosted in Germany. Zelenskiy, in the call, stressed Germany’s role in ensuring Ukraine’s financial stability, per The Tribune.
- Diplomatic Efforts: Merz reiterated his vision for a European-led “Contact Group” involving Germany, France, the UK, Poland, and Denmark to coordinate a just peace in Ukraine, independent of U.S. involvement, given uncertainties under Trump. He emphasized that Ukraine must be included in any peace negotiations and that victory means “restoring territorial integrity with a democratically legitimate government,” per Kyiv Independent.
- Rebuilding Ukraine: Zelenskiy highlighted Germany’s role in post-war reconstruction, with Merz pledging support for rebuilding efforts, per @RT_com on X. This aligns with discussions on Ukraine’s EU integration, a priority for both leaders.
Strategic Context
Merz’s pledge comes at a critical juncture:
- U.S. Policy Shifts: The Trump administration’s softer stance toward Russia, exemplified by a March 2025 White House clash where Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated Zelenskiy, has raised fears of reduced U.S. aid. Merz called this a “deliberate escalation,” urging Europe to act independently, per POLITICO and NDTV. Trump’s refusal to sign a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal and calls for Zelenskiy to resign have heightened Ukraine’s reliance on European allies.
- Battlefield Challenges: Ukraine faces intense Russian assaults, with 1,060 Russian casualties reported daily and a failed 150-motorcycle assault near Pokrovsk, per Euromaidan Press. Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region in 2024 and losses in Donetsk underscore the need for advanced weaponry like Taurus missiles.
- European Unity: Merz’s government, including pro-Ukraine Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD), aims to bolster European defense spending to close capability gaps, as stated in Paris on May 7, 2025, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. This responds to Trump’s threats to weaken NATO and withdraw U.S. troops from Europe.
Public and International Reactions
- Ukraine’s Gratitude: Zelenskiy praised Merz’s “productive” support, noting Germany’s air defense contributions and financial aid, per The Tribune. Ukraine’s ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, welcomed Merz’s coalition with pro-Ukraine figures like Pistorius.
- European Support: Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer congratulated Merz, emphasizing joint security efforts and support for Ukraine, per RFERL. EU leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen and Kaja Kallas, rallied behind Zelenskiy after the Trump clash, with Kallas calling for Europe to lead the “free world,” per NBC News.
- Russian Criticism: The Kremlin, via Dmitry Peskov, criticized Merz’s “tougher position” on Taurus missiles, warning of escalation risks, per Reuters. This reflects Moscow’s concern over Merz’s hawkish stance compared to Scholz.
- Public Sentiment on X: Posts from @MaimunkaNews, @Zlatti_71, and @Maks_NAFO_FELLA on May 7, 2025, highlight Merz’s Taurus pledge, with pro-Ukraine users celebrating his reliability, though some, like @RT_com, frame it as Zelenskiy demanding “everything he wants”.
Implications and Challenges
Merz’s assurance positions Germany as a linchpin in Ukraine’s defense, particularly if U.S. support wanes. His openness to Taurus missiles could shift the battlefield dynamics, enabling Ukraine to strike deeper Russian targets, but risks Russian retaliation, as Peskov warned. Domestically, Merz faces pressure from the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), which won 20% of the vote and favors pro-Russia policies, potentially complicating coalition stability. Germany’s sluggish economy and migration debates, exacerbated by Trump’s trade threats, could also limit Merz’s ability to fund aid, per POLITICO.
For Zelenskiy, Merz’s support is a lifeline amid battlefield losses and diplomatic setbacks. Ukraine’s push for NATO membership and EU integration, backed by Merz, remains a long-term goal, though Merz stressed that peace requires U.S. involvement, per RFERL. The proposed Contact Group could ensure European coordination, but its success depends on France, the UK, and Poland aligning with Germany’s vision.
Conclusion
Friedrich Merz’s assurance to Volodymyr Zelenskiy on May 7, 2025, underscores Germany’s unwavering support for Ukraine through military aid, financial backing, and diplomatic efforts toward a just peace. His pledge to consider Taurus missiles and lead a European Contact Group reflects a shift toward a more assertive German foreign policy, filling a potential vacuum left by the U.S. While domestic and Russian challenges loom, Merz’s government, sworn in on May 6, 2025, is poised to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience against Russian aggression, as affirmed by Zelenskiy’s call for weapons and rebuilding support.
Sources: Reuters, POLITICO, The Guardian, Kyiv Independent, RFERL, The Tribune, NDTV, NBC News, Euromaidan Press, Kyiv Post, posts on X
