Germany’s newly appointed Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has announced that Berlin will assist Ukraine in producing long-range missiles to bolster its defense against Russian attacks. This development comes as tensions between Ukraine and Russia continue to escalate, with the war now in its fourth year.
Key Developments
Missile Production Agreement: Merz revealed that a memorandum of understanding on long-range missiles would be signed by German and Ukrainian defense ministers. Although specifics were not disclosed, the agreement aims to enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
Shift in German Policy: Merz’s stance marks a significant departure from his predecessor Olaf Scholz’s cautious approach. The new chancellor is taking a more assertive stance on supporting Ukraine, potentially antagonizing the Kremlin.
Range Restrictions Lifted: Merz emphasized that Western allies had already lifted range restrictions on missiles supplied to Ukraine months ago. This development could allow Ukraine to target deeper into Russian territory.
Diplomatic Efforts
Peace Talks: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for three-way talks involving US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov didn’t dismiss the idea but emphasized the need for concrete agreements between the two delegations.
Upcoming Talks: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced that Moscow is ready for a second round of peace talks with Kyiv, potentially on June 2 in Istanbul. Moscow seeks guarantees for Ukraine’s “neutral, non-aligned, and non-nuclear status”.
Escalating Conflict
Drone Attacks: Ukraine’s military reported one of its largest drone barrages on Russian targets, while Russia launched over 900 drones at Ukraine in a three-day period.
Troop Movements: Zelensky warned that Moscow is amassing over 50,000 troops along the Sumy front, where Russian forces have seized several villages to create “security buffer zones”.
International Response
US Stance: Trump expressed frustration with Russia’s failure to progress in talks, accusing Putin of “playing with fire” after a deadly missile strike. Ukrainian officials discussed imposing sanctions on Russia’s banking and energy sectors with Trump, who confirmed potential sanctions if Russia doesn’t comply.
Source: Africa Publicity
Germany, Support, Ukraine, Long-Range Missile, Production, Friedrich Merz, Russia
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